A00737	----	Finch his alphabet, or, A godly direction, fit to be perused of each true Christian Finch, Mr. 1635 Approx. 6 KB of XML-encoded text transcribed from 1 1-bit group-IV TIFF page image. Text Creation Partnership, Ann Arbor, MI ; Oxford (UK) : 2007-10 (EEBO-TCP Phase 1). A00737 STC 10869.5 ESTC S3043 29900242 ocm 29900242 28103 This keyboarded and encoded edition of the work described above is co-owned by the institutions providing financial support to the Early English Books Online Text Creation Partnership. This Phase I text is available for reuse, according to the terms of Creative Commons 0 1.0 Universal . The text can be copied, modified, distributed and performed, even for commercial purposes, all without asking permission. Early English books online. (EEBO-TCP ; phase 1, no. A00737) Transcribed from: (Early English Books Online ; image set 28103) Images scanned from microfilm: (Early English books, 1475-1640 ; 1861:60) Finch his alphabet, or, A godly direction, fit to be perused of each true Christian Finch, Mr. 1 sheet ([1] p.) : ill. For John Wright, and are to be sold at his shop in Gilt-spur-street, Printed at London : [ca. 1635] In verse. Date of publication suggested by STC (2nd ed.). Reproduction of original in the Society of Antiquaries. Created by converting TCP files to TEI P5 using tcp2tei.xsl, TEI @ Oxford. Re-processed by University of Nebraska-Lincoln and Northwestern, with changes to facilitate morpho-syntactic tagging. Gap elements of known extent have been transformed into placeholder characters or elements to simplify the filling in of gaps by user contributors. EEBO-TCP is a partnership between the Universities of Michigan and Oxford and the publisher ProQuest to create accurately transcribed and encoded texts based on the image sets published by ProQuest via their Early English Books Online (EEBO) database (http://eebo.chadwyck.com). The general aim of EEBO-TCP is to encode one copy (usually the first edition) of every monographic English-language title published between 1473 and 1700 available in EEBO. EEBO-TCP aimed to produce large quantities of textual data within the usual project restraints of time and funding, and therefore chose to create diplomatic transcriptions (as opposed to critical editions) with light-touch, mainly structural encoding based on the Text Encoding Initiative (http://www.tei-c.org). The EEBO-TCP project was divided into two phases. The 25,363 texts created during Phase 1 of the project have been released into the public domain as of 1 January 2015. Anyone can now take and use these texts for their own purposes, but we respectfully request that due credit and attribution is given to their original source. Users should be aware of the process of creating the TCP texts, and therefore of any assumptions that can be made about the data. Text selection was based on the New Cambridge Bibliography of English Literature (NCBEL). If an author (or for an anonymous work, the title) appears in NCBEL, then their works are eligible for inclusion. Selection was intended to range over a wide variety of subject areas, to reflect the true nature of the print record of the period. In general, first editions of a works in English were prioritized, although there are a number of works in other languages, notably Latin and Welsh, included and sometimes a second or later edition of a work was chosen if there was a compelling reason to do so. Image sets were sent to external keying companies for transcription and basic encoding. Quality assurance was then carried out by editorial teams in Oxford and Michigan. 5% (or 5 pages, whichever is the greater) of each text was proofread for accuracy and those which did not meet QA standards were returned to the keyers to be redone. After proofreading, the encoding was enhanced and/or corrected and characters marked as illegible were corrected where possible up to a limit of 100 instances per text. Any remaining illegibles were encoded as <gap>s. Understanding these processes should make clear that, while the overall quality of TCP data is very good, some errors will remain and some readable characters will be marked as illegible. Users should bear in mind that in all likelihood such instances will never have been looked at by a TCP editor. The texts were encoded and linked to page images in accordance with level 4 of the TEI in Libraries guidelines. Copies of the texts have been issued variously as SGML (TCP schema; ASCII text with mnemonic sdata character entities); displayable XML (TCP schema; characters represented either as UTF-8 Unicode or text strings within braces); or lossless XML (TEI P5, characters represented either as UTF-8 Unicode or TEI g elements). Keying and markup guidelines are available at the Text Creation Partnership web site . eng Devotional literature -- Early works to 1800. Religious poetry, English -- Early modern, 1500-1700. Broadsides -- London (England) -- 17th century. 2006-12 TCP Assigned for keying and markup 2006-12 Aptara Keyed and coded from ProQuest page images 2007-01 Mona Logarbo Sampled and proofread 2007-01 Mona Logarbo Text and markup reviewed and edited 2007-02 pfs Batch review (QC) and XML conversion Finch his Alphabet , or , A Godly direction , fit to be perused of each true Christian . ADAM our Father being the first man , Through EVE his wife the which vile sinne began : But God of his mercie thought it very good , We should be fau'd through Christ our Sauiours blood . BEtimes in morning when thou do'st awake , Vnto the Lord see thou thy Prayers make : And after that then goe to thy Vocation , This is a way that leadeth to saluation . COmfort of comforts , none that I doe finde , So great as for to haue a constant minde : Trusting in God , and in his onely Sonne , Comfort of comforts like to this is none . DEath as a Sergeant commeth vnto all , Prepare thy selfe therefore against he call : For he that is prepared well to dye , Shall liue with Christ in heauen eternally . ENuie thou not to see ●●y friend doe well , Enuie is a fiend that leadeth soules to hell : Through enuie Cain did slay Abell his brother , When on the earth there was not found another . FLie thou from sinne , and eke from fond delight , And feare the Lord of heauen both day and night : For he that onely God the Lord doth feare , No euill euer to him may appeare . GIue laud vnto the Lord of heauen on high , Which made the earth , the sea , and eke the skie : And men he made him onely for to serue , Then from his statutes see thou doe not swerue . HAue mercy Lord on me I doe thee pray , And eke conduct me in thy holy way : And let thy precepts alwayes be to mee , As sweet as euer hony from the Bee. IN thee , O Lord , I onely put my trust , For thou , O Christ , art onely true and iust : There is no other God I know but thee , In whom I onely trust saued to be . KNowledge a vertue is most excellent , If to know Christ the mind be onely bent : But not to know him , and know all beside , No goodnesse to the soule there can betide . LOue God , in him put all thy trust and stay , Both day and night vnto him doe thou pray : And be not idle either day or night , So shalt thou please the Lord of heauen aright . MArke well my words , and ponder in your minde , And then no doubt but you shall comfort finde : Put trust in Christ who for mankinde did die , So may'st thou liue with him continuallie . NO man there is that two Masters can serue , To one he cleaues , from other he will swerue : He that on Mammon setteth his delight , He cannot serue the Lord of heauen aright . OMnipotent Lord , send to me thy grace , Here in this life , in heauen a dwelling place : And when my soule depart from body is , Grant me sweet Christ to liue with thee in blisse . PVt all thy trust and confidence in God , And he will guide thee with his holy rod : For he that trusts in him , and to him pray , Shall liue in blisse with him another day . QVit thou thy selfe alwayes from worldly care , And see that thou the Lord of heauen doe feare : For he that feares the Lord of heauen aright , Shall liue eternall with the Lord of might . REmember man that thou art borne to die , And not to liue on earth eternallie : Then liue on earth while here thou doe remaine , Though being dead , to liue with Christ againe . SInne not , but stand in awe of God the Lord , Who made the heauen , the earth , and sea by word : The skie , the Sunne , the Moone , the Starres also , And euery creature that on earth doe goe . TRust thou in God the Father of all might , And pray vnto his Sonne both day and night : Intreat his Spirit may thee alwayes guide , So from his statutes thou shalt neuer slide VNto the Lord see that thou call and crie , So mayest thou liue with him eternallie : He is the Iudge that Widowes cause doth take , And fatherlesse , when moane to him they make . VVIsedome in man is a most precious thing , When God did say to Solomon the King , Aske what thou wilt , and I will giue to thee , ●Visedome ( good Lord ) grant wisedome vnto me . XErxes for his beastlinesse he had great blame , 〈◊〉 Galba for his vertue he did get much fame : T 〈…〉 afirmes that nothing is more pure In man , then for in vertue to endure . YOuth in it selfe vaine glory oft doth showe , But age experience brings , whereby men know , The idle follies that wilde youth doth bring , Which makes them sigh when they may sit and sing . ZEale mixt with faith , and in one heart combind , Doth please the Lord , and comforteth mans mind . So to conclude ( with zeale ) I make an end , Zeale ioyn'd with Faith vnto the Soule is friend . FINIS . Printed at London for Iohn Wright , and are to be sold at his Shop in Gilt-spur-street . 
A91966	----	The description of the singers of Israel, or, The family of love, in a song of Zion. The tune of Flora farewell, or False lover. Rone, Elizabeth. 1680 Approx. 5 KB of XML-encoded text transcribed from 1 1-bit group-IV TIFF page image. Text Creation Partnership, Ann Arbor, MI ; Oxford (UK) : 2008-09 (EEBO-TCP Phase 1). A91966 Wing R1914aA ESTC R182797 43078129 ocm 43078129 151674 This keyboarded and encoded edition of the work described above is co-owned by the institutions providing financial support to the Early English Books Online Text Creation Partnership. This Phase I text is available for reuse, according to the terms of Creative Commons 0 1.0 Universal . The text can be copied, modified, distributed and performed, even for commercial purposes, all without asking permission. Early English books online. (EEBO-TCP ; phase 1, no. A91966) Transcribed from: (Early English Books Online ; image set 151674) Images scanned from microfilm: (Early English Books, 1641-1700 ; 2270:21) The description of the singers of Israel, or, The family of love, in a song of Zion. The tune of Flora farewell, or False lover. Rone, Elizabeth. 1 sheet ([1] p.) s.n., [London : 1680] Signed: Elizabeth Rone. Ms. note at bottom: Print. 4. May. 1680. Place of publication suggested by Wing. Reproduction of original in: Newberry Library, Chicago, Illinois. Created by converting TCP files to TEI P5 using tcp2tei.xsl, TEI @ Oxford. Re-processed by University of Nebraska-Lincoln and Northwestern, with changes to facilitate morpho-syntactic tagging. Gap elements of known extent have been transformed into placeholder characters or elements to simplify the filling in of gaps by user contributors. EEBO-TCP is a partnership between the Universities of Michigan and Oxford and the publisher ProQuest to create accurately transcribed and encoded texts based on the image sets published by ProQuest via their Early English Books Online (EEBO) database (http://eebo.chadwyck.com). The general aim of EEBO-TCP is to encode one copy (usually the first edition) of every monographic English-language title published between 1473 and 1700 available in EEBO. EEBO-TCP aimed to produce large quantities of textual data within the usual project restraints of time and funding, and therefore chose to create diplomatic transcriptions (as opposed to critical editions) with light-touch, mainly structural encoding based on the Text Encoding Initiative (http://www.tei-c.org). The EEBO-TCP project was divided into two phases. The 25,363 texts created during Phase 1 of the project have been released into the public domain as of 1 January 2015. Anyone can now take and use these texts for their own purposes, but we respectfully request that due credit and attribution is given to their original source. Users should be aware of the process of creating the TCP texts, and therefore of any assumptions that can be made about the data. Text selection was based on the New Cambridge Bibliography of English Literature (NCBEL). If an author (or for an anonymous work, the title) appears in NCBEL, then their works are eligible for inclusion. Selection was intended to range over a wide variety of subject areas, to reflect the true nature of the print record of the period. In general, first editions of a works in English were prioritized, although there are a number of works in other languages, notably Latin and Welsh, included and sometimes a second or later edition of a work was chosen if there was a compelling reason to do so. Image sets were sent to external keying companies for transcription and basic encoding. Quality assurance was then carried out by editorial teams in Oxford and Michigan. 5% (or 5 pages, whichever is the greater) of each text was proofread for accuracy and those which did not meet QA standards were returned to the keyers to be redone. After proofreading, the encoding was enhanced and/or corrected and characters marked as illegible were corrected where possible up to a limit of 100 instances per text. Any remaining illegibles were encoded as <gap>s. Understanding these processes should make clear that, while the overall quality of TCP data is very good, some errors will remain and some readable characters will be marked as illegible. Users should bear in mind that in all likelihood such instances will never have been looked at by a TCP editor. The texts were encoded and linked to page images in accordance with level 4 of the TEI in Libraries guidelines. Copies of the texts have been issued variously as SGML (TCP schema; ASCII text with mnemonic sdata character entities); displayable XML (TCP schema; characters represented either as UTF-8 Unicode or text strings within braces); or lossless XML (TEI P5, characters represented either as UTF-8 Unicode or TEI g elements). Keying and markup guidelines are available at the Text Creation Partnership web site . eng Religious poetry, English -- Early modern, 1500-1700. Broadsides -- London (England) -- 17th century. 2007-07 TCP Assigned for keying and markup 2007-08 Apex CoVantage Keyed and coded from ProQuest page images 2007-09 Elspeth Healey Sampled and proofread 2007-09 Elspeth Healey Text and markup reviewed and edited 2008-02 pfs Batch review (QC) and XML conversion The DESCRIPTION of the Singers of Israel , or the Family of LOVE , in a Song of ZION . The Tune of Flora farewell , or False Lover . THE Sweet Singers of Israel and Family of perfect Love , Are such as are redeem'd from Hell , and they do live in God above . Though some have writ and printed Lies , they cannot move us from our place , Nor any thing they can devise , can make us fear to shew our face . We are redeemed from all Lust , all Covetousness , Envy and Pride , And I do know they are accurst , that do us mock or have beli'd , In their false Papers , that they dare not shew their name or dwelling place : But we that on God cast our care , do not mind evil mens Disgrace . If we break any of their laws , we crave not favour at their hands , Though they do lay on us their claws , we know that we do God's Commands : For we in deed and truth do love , and not in words , as many do , Those that us hate , or smite or shove , our Friend and eke our greatest Foe . How dare you make a mock of Love , or speak against the Singers sweet ? Have you not read its God above who in his wrath can with you meet . In stead of singing you may houl , and not rejoice with Israel , Because you seek us to controul , in darkness you are like to dwell ; Untill you heartily repent , and find true love to set you free , To punish you the Lord is bent , mine eye is open this to see . The God of this World doth you blind that you cannot look up to heaven , There 's so much malice in your mind , You ready are to stone a Stephen ; Because he stedfastly can look into the place where God doth dwell , You cannot his true sayings brook , Your envy doth keep you in Hell. You charge us with Debauchery , and very many , and gross evils , But those that come us for to try , shall find that you are lying Devils . God hath created us a-new , and Love his Son hath us redeemed , And we love all both Turk and Jew , though by them we are not esteemed . Our Enemies they do confess , John Taylor is the head Bell-Wether , That is , a strong sheep , I do confess , Abel to ring the weak together . They also call me the Bell-damm , which is also a good strong sheep , I do confess I love the LAMB , the which will make the Goats to weep God will the Sheep and Goats divide , and unto them this sentence give , The Sheep shall stand on his right side , and in true joy and peace shall live . But for the Goats , they shall depart into the Lake that 's called Hell , Where they shall feel great pain and smart , because on us such lies they tell . Then learn each one to speak the Truth that lying may not so abound ; But know thy Lord the guid of youth , least in great sorrow you be drownd . For he will not long mocked be , with Pharisees that long do pray , Nor fearful Hypocrites , I see , for all their speaking Yea or Nay . They are the worst Lyars of all , for I have tryed every sort . They are fullest of guil and gall , and on true Folk do lies report . But they shall reap what they have sew'd , a crop of Persecution , And out of Gods mouth shall be spew'd , in sudden dissolution . And those that have a name to live , and sing others experience , A bittet cup God will them give , that know not true deliverance . Blessed be the Lord God of Israel , for he hath visited and redeemed his People , not from Lace and Ribbons , but from Pride , and Covetousness which is Idolatry . Hallelujah . Elizabeth Rone . 
A07427	----	A godlie dreame compiled by Elizabeth Melvill, Ladie Culros younger, at the request of a friend. Colville, Elizabeth Melvill, Lady Colville of Culros, fl. 1603. 1620 Approx. 30 KB of XML-encoded text transcribed from 12 1-bit group-IV TIFF page images. Text Creation Partnership, Ann Arbor, MI ; Oxford (UK) : 2005-10 (EEBO-TCP Phase 1). A07427 STC 17814 ESTC S1302 22108051 ocm 22108051 25083 This keyboarded and encoded edition of the work described above is co-owned by the institutions providing financial support to the Early English Books Online Text Creation Partnership. This Phase I text is available for reuse, according to the terms of Creative Commons 0 1.0 Universal . The text can be copied, modified, distributed and performed, even for commercial purposes, all without asking permission. Early English books online. (EEBO-TCP ; phase 1, no. A07427) Transcribed from: (Early English Books Online ; image set 25083) Images scanned from microfilm: (Early English books, 1475-1640 ; 1732:4) A godlie dreame compiled by Elizabeth Melvill, Ladie Culros younger, at the request of a friend. Colville, Elizabeth Melvill, Lady Colville of Culros, fl. 1603. [23] p. : ill. Imprinted by Andro Hart, Edinburgh : 1620. In verse. Includes "A verie comfortable song, to the tune of Shall I let her goe?" Signatures: A⁸ B⁴. Imperfect: tightly bound, with print show-through. Reproduction of original in the British Library. Created by converting TCP files to TEI P5 using tcp2tei.xsl, TEI @ Oxford. Re-processed by University of Nebraska-Lincoln and Northwestern, with changes to facilitate morpho-syntactic tagging. Gap elements of known extent have been transformed into placeholder characters or elements to simplify the filling in of gaps by user contributors. EEBO-TCP is a partnership between the Universities of Michigan and Oxford and the publisher ProQuest to create accurately transcribed and encoded texts based on the image sets published by ProQuest via their Early English Books Online (EEBO) database (http://eebo.chadwyck.com). The general aim of EEBO-TCP is to encode one copy (usually the first edition) of every monographic English-language title published between 1473 and 1700 available in EEBO. EEBO-TCP aimed to produce large quantities of textual data within the usual project restraints of time and funding, and therefore chose to create diplomatic transcriptions (as opposed to critical editions) with light-touch, mainly structural encoding based on the Text Encoding Initiative (http://www.tei-c.org). The EEBO-TCP project was divided into two phases. The 25,363 texts created during Phase 1 of the project have been released into the public domain as of 1 January 2015. Anyone can now take and use these texts for their own purposes, but we respectfully request that due credit and attribution is given to their original source. Users should be aware of the process of creating the TCP texts, and therefore of any assumptions that can be made about the data. Text selection was based on the New Cambridge Bibliography of English Literature (NCBEL). If an author (or for an anonymous work, the title) appears in NCBEL, then their works are eligible for inclusion. Selection was intended to range over a wide variety of subject areas, to reflect the true nature of the print record of the period. In general, first editions of a works in English were prioritized, although there are a number of works in other languages, notably Latin and Welsh, included and sometimes a second or later edition of a work was chosen if there was a compelling reason to do so. Image sets were sent to external keying companies for transcription and basic encoding. Quality assurance was then carried out by editorial teams in Oxford and Michigan. 5% (or 5 pages, whichever is the greater) of each text was proofread for accuracy and those which did not meet QA standards were returned to the keyers to be redone. After proofreading, the encoding was enhanced and/or corrected and characters marked as illegible were corrected where possible up to a limit of 100 instances per text. Any remaining illegibles were encoded as <gap>s. Understanding these processes should make clear that, while the overall quality of TCP data is very good, some errors will remain and some readable characters will be marked as illegible. Users should bear in mind that in all likelihood such instances will never have been looked at by a TCP editor. The texts were encoded and linked to page images in accordance with level 4 of the TEI in Libraries guidelines. Copies of the texts have been issued variously as SGML (TCP schema; ASCII text with mnemonic sdata character entities); displayable XML (TCP schema; characters represented either as UTF-8 Unicode or text strings within braces); or lossless XML (TEI P5, characters represented either as UTF-8 Unicode or TEI g elements). Keying and markup guidelines are available at the Text Creation Partnership web site . eng Religious poetry, English -- Early modern, 1500-1700. 2003-05 TCP Assigned for keying and markup 2003-06 Apex CoVantage Keyed and coded from ProQuest page images 2005-02 Mona Logarbo Sampled and proofread 2005-02 Mona Logarbo Text and markup reviewed and edited 2005-04 pfs Batch review (QC) and XML conversion A GODLIE DREAME , Compiled by Elizabeth Melvill , Ladie Culros younger , at the request of a Friend . Introite per angustam portam : nam lata est via quae ducit ad interitum . AH EDINBVRGH , Imprinted by Andro Hart , ANNO DOM , 1620. A GODLY DREAME . VPon a day , as I did mourne full sore , For sundry things wherwith my soule was grieued , My griefe increased , and grewe more and more : I comfort fled , & could not be relieued , With heauinesse my heart was so mischieued : I loath'd my life , I could not eate nor drinke : I might not speake , nor looke to none that liued , But mus'd alone , and diuers things did thinke . This wretched world did so molest my minde , I thought vpon this false and Yron age : And how our heartes were so to vice inclinde , That Sathan séemde most fearfullie to rage , Nothing on earth my sorrow could asswadge : I felt my sinne most stronglie to increase , I grieued the Spirit , that wont to be my pledge , My soule was plung'd into most déepe distresse . All merrinesse did aggrauate my paine , And earthly ioyes did still increase my woe : In companie I could no wise remaine , But fled resort , and so alone did goe . My sillie soule was tossed to and fro With sundrie thoughts , which troubled me full sorè : I preas'd to pray , but sighes our set me so , I could doe nought , but groane , and say no more . The trickling teares aboundantlie ran downe : Mine heart was eas'd when I had mourn'd my fill . Then I beganne my Lamentation , And said , O Lord , how long is it thy will , That thy poore Sainctes shall be afflicted still ? Alas ! How long shall subtile Sathan rage ? Make haste , O Lord , thy promise to fulfill : Make hast to ende our painfull Pilgrimage . Thy sillie Sainctes are tossed to and fro : Awake , O Lord , why sléepest thou so long ? We haue no strength against our cruell fo , In sighes and sobbes now changed is our song . The World preuailes , our enemies are strong . The Wicked rage , but we are poore and weake . O! shewe thy selfe , with spéed reuenge our wrong . Make short these daies , euen for thy Chosens sake . Lord Iesus come and saue thine owne Elect , For Sathan séekes our simple soules to stay . The wicked World doth stronglie vs infect : Most monstrous sinnes increase doe day by day . Our loues growes cold , our zeale is worne away : Our faith is faild , and wée are like to fall . The Lyon roares , to catch vs as a prey : Make hast , O Lord , before we perish all . These are the daies , which thou so long foretold , Should come before this wretched world should end Now Uice aboundes , and Charitie growes cold : And euen thine owne most stronglie do offend : The Deuill preuailes , his forces he doth bend , If it could be to wrack thy Children deare : But we are thine , therefore some succour send : Receiue our soules , we wearie wandring héere . What can we do ? we clogged are with sinne , In filthie vice our senselesse soules are drownde . Though we resolue , we neuer can beginne , T' amend our liues , but sinne doth still abound . UUhē wilt thou come ? whē shal thy trumpet sound ? UUhen shall we sée that great and glorious Day ? O saue vs , Lord , out of that pit profound , And reaue vs from that loathsome lump of clay . Thou knowst our harts , thou seest our whole desire , Our secret thoughtes they are not hid from thée . Though we offend , thou knowst we strangely tire . To beare this weight , our spirit would faine be frée . Alas , O Lord , what pleasure can it bée , To liue in sinne ? that sore doth presse vs downe . Oh! giue vs winges , that we aloft may flie , And ende the sight , that we may weare the crowne . Before the Lord when I had thus complainde , My minde grew calme , mine heart was then at rest : Though I was faint , from foode yet I refrainde , And went to Bede , because I thought it best . With heauinesse my spirit was sore opprest . I fell on sléepe : And so againe me thought , I made my moane : and so my griefe increast : And from the Lord with teares I succour sought . Lord Iesus , come , saide I , and ende our griefe , My spirit is vext , the captiue would be frée . All vice aboundes , now send vs some reliefe . I loath to liue , I wish dissolu'd to bee . My spirit doeth long , and thirsteth after thée . As thirstie ground requires a showre of raine , Mine heart is drie : as fruitlesse barren frée I féele my selfe : How can I héere remaine ? With sighes and sobbes as I did solament , Into my dreame I thoght there did appeare , A sight most swéete , which did mée well content , An Angel bright , with visage shining cleare , With louing lookes , and with a smiling cheare : He asked me , Why art thou thus so sad ? Why groan'st thou so ? what dost thou dwining here , With carefull cries , in this thy bailfull Bed ? I heare thy sighes , I sée thy trickling teares , Thou séemst to be in some perplexitie : What mean thy mones : what is y t thing thou fears ? Whom would thou haue , in what place would y u be ? Faint not so fast in thine aduersitie . Mourne not so sore , sith mourning may not mend : Lift vp thine heart declare thy griefe to me , Perchance thy paine bringes pleasure in the end . I sigh'd againe , and said , Alas , for wo , My griefe is great , I can it not declare : Into this earth I wander to and fro . A Pilgrime poore , consum'd with sighing sore . My sinnes , alas , increase doe more and more . I loath my life , I wearie wandring here , I long for Heauen , mine Heritage is there . I long to liue with my Redéemer deare . Is this the cause ? said he rise vp anone , And follow me , and I shall be thy guide : And from thy sighes leaue off , thine heauie mone : Refraine from teares , and cast thy care aside : Trust in my Strength and in my Word confide , And thou shalt haue thine heauie heartes desire : Rise vp with spéede , I may not long abide , Great diligence this matter doeth require . My soule rejoc'd to heare his sword so swéete , I looked vp , and saw his Face most fayre : His countenate reuiu'd my wearie spirite , Incontinent I cast aside my care : With humble heart I prayd him to declare What was his Name ? He answered me againe , I am thy God , for whome thou sigh'st so sore , I now am come , thy teares are not in vaine . I am the Way , I am the Trueth , and Life , I am thy spouse , that bringes thée store of grace : I am thy Lord , that soone would end thy strife , I am thy Loue , whome thou wouldst faine imbrace . I am thy joye , I am thy rest and peace : Rise vp anone , and follow after mée , I shall thée lead into thy dwelling place , The Land of rest , thou long'st so sore to sée . With joyfull heart I thanked him againe , Readie am I , said I , and well content , To follow thée ; for héere I liue in paine : A wretch vnworth , my daies are vainelie spent : Not one is just , but all are fiercelie bent , To runne to vice . I haue no force to stand , My sinnes increase , which makes mée sore lament : Make hast , O Lord , I long to sée that Land. Thine haste is greaf , he answerd me againe : Thou thinkst thée there , thou art transported so . That pleasant place must purchast be with paine , The way is straite , and thou hast farre to go . Art thou contenttd wander to and fro ? Through great Desarts , throgh water , & throgh fire ? Through thorns and briers , and many dangers mo ? What sayest thou now ? Thy feeble flesh will tire . Alas , said I , although my flesh be weake , My spirit is strong , and willing for to flie . O leaue me not , but for thy mercies sake Performe thy word , or els for doole I die . I feare no paine , since I should walke with thée : The way is long , yet bring me through at last , Thou answerst well , I am content , said hée , To be thy guide , but see thou gripe me fast Then vp I rose , and made no more delay , My feeble armes about his neck I cast : He went before , and still did guide the way , Though I was weake , my spirit did follow fast , Through mosse & mire , throgh ditches déep we past , Through pricking thorns , throgh water & throgh fire , Throgh dreadfull dennes , he made mine hart agast : He bare me vp , when I began to fire . Sometime we clamb on craigie mountaines hie , And sometime slaide on vglie brayes of sande : They were so stay , that wonder was to sée . But when I fearde , he held me by the hand , Through thick & thin through sea , & eke throgh land : Through great Desartes we wandred on our way . When I was weake , and had no strength to stand , Yet with a looke he did refresh me aye . Through waters great we were compeld to wade , Which were so déepe , that I was like to drowne : Sometime I sanke ; but yet my gracious guide Did draw me vp halfe dead , and in a swowne . In Woods most wilde , and farre from anie Towne , We thrusted through , the Briers together stack : I was so weake , their strength did beat me downe , That I was forc'd for feare to flée aback . Courage , said he , thou art mid-way and more : Thou mayst not tire , nor turne aback againe . Hold fast thy gripe , on me cast all thy care : Assay thy strength , thou shalt not fight in vaine . I told thee first , That thou shouldst suffer paine . The nearer Heauen , the harder is the way . Lift vp your heart , and let your hope remaine , Since I am guide thou shalt not goe astray . Forward wee past , on narrow brigs of trée , Ouer waters great , which hiddeoustie did roare . There lay below that fearefull was to see , Most vglie Beastes , which gaped to deuoure . Mine head grew light , and troubled verie sore : Mine heart did feare , my féete began to slide : But when I cryde he heard me euermore , And helpt me vp : O blessed be my Guide . Wearie I was , and thought to sit at rest : But he said , Nay , thou mayst not sit nor stand . Hold on thy course , and thou shalt finde it best , If thou destrst to sée that pleasant land . Though I was weake , I rose at his command , And held him fast . At length he let me sée That pleasant place , that seemde to be at hand , Take courage now , for thou art neare , said hee . I looked vp into that Castle faire , Glistring like Golde , and shining Siluer bright . The statelie Towre did mount aboue the aire : They blinded me , they cast so great a light . Mine heart was glad to sée that joyfull sight . My voyage then I thought was not in vaine : I him besought to guide me there aright , With many vowes , Neuer to tire againe . Though thou be neare , the way is verie hard , Said he againe , therefore thou must be stout : Faint not for feare , for cowardes are debard , That haue none heart to goe their voyage out . Pluck vp thine heart , and gripe me fast about , Out through this trance together we must go : The way is low , remember for to lout , If this were past , we haue not many mo . I held him fast , as hée did giue command , And through the trance together then wée went : Where in the mides great prickes of Yron did stand : Wherewith my féet were all betorne and rent . Take courage now , said hée and bée content To suffer this , the pleasure comes at last . I answerd not but ranne incontinent Out ouer the fire , and so the paine was past . When this was done , mine heart did dance for joy , I was so neare , I thought my voyage ended : I ranne before , and sought not his conuoy . Nor askt the way , because I thought I knew it . On stately stepps , most stoutly I ascended . Without his help I thought to enter there . Hée followed fast , and was right sore offended , And hastily did draw me downe the staire . What hast ? said hée , Why ranne thou so before ? Without mine help thinkest thou to climbe to hie ? Come downe againe , thou yet must suffer more , If thou desirst that dwelling place to sée , This statelie staire , it was not made for thée : Holdst thou that course , thou shalt be thrust aback . Alas , said I , long wandring wearied mée , Which made me runne , the nearest way to take . Then he began to comfort me againe , And said , My friend , thou must not enter there : Lift vp thine heart , thou yet must suffer paine , The last assault of force it must be sore . This goodlie way , although it séeme so faire , It is too high , thou canst not climbe so stay : But looke below , beneath a statelie staire , And thou shalt sée another kinde of way . I looked downe , and saw a pit most black , Most full of smoke , and flaming fire most fell . That vglie sight made me to flée aback : I feard to heare so manie shout and yell . I him besought , that he the trueth would tell : Is this , said I , the Papists purging place ? Where they affirme , that sillie soules do dwell , To purge their sinnes , before they rest in peace . The braine of man most warelie did inuent , That purging place , he answerd me againe : For gréedinesse together they consent , To say , That soules in torments must remaine , While gold and goods relieue them of their paine . O spitefull spirits , which did the same begin ! O blinded Beastes ! your thoughts are all in vaine : By Blood alone did cleanse the soule from sinne . This pit is Hell ; where through thou now must go : There is the way that leades thée to thy Land. Now play the man : thou néedst not tremble so , For I shall help and hold thée by the hand . Alas , said I , I haue no force to stand , For feare I faint , to sée that vglie sight . How can I come amongst that bailfull band ? Oh , help me now , I haue no force nor might . Oft haue I heard , That they that enter héere , In this great golfe , shall neuer come againe . Courage , said hée , haue I not bought thée deare ? My precious Blood it was not shed in vaine , I saw this place , my soule did taste this paine , Ere euer I went into my Fathers glore . Through must thou go , but thou shalt not remaine , Thou néedst not feare , for I shall goe before . I am content to doe thy whole command , Said I againe , and did him fast imbrace : Then louinglie he held me by the hand , And in we went into that fearefull place . Hold fast thy gripe , said he , in any case . Let me not slip what euer thou shalt sée : Dread not the death , but stoutlie forward preásse , For death nor hell shall neuer vanquish thée . His words so swéet did cheare mine heauie heart , Incontinent I cast my care aside . Courage , said he , play not a cowardes part : Though thou be weake , yet in my strength confide . I thought mée blest , to haue so good a guide . Though I was weake , I knew that hee was strong . Under his wings I thought mee for to hide , If anie there should preasie to doe mée wrong . Into that pit when I did enter in , I saw a sight , which made mine heart agast : Poore damned soules , tormented sore for sinne , In flaming fire were frying verte fast : And vglie spirites . And as I had them past . Mine heart grew faint , and I beganne to tirè . Ere I was ware one griped mée at last . And held me high aboue a flaming fire . The fire was great , the heate did pierce me sore , My faith grew weake , my gripe was very small : I trembled fast , my feare grew more and more . Mine handes did shake , that I him held withall . At length they loosed : then I began to fall , And cride aloude , and caught him fast againe . Lord Iesus , come , and rid me out of thrall . Courage , said he , now thou art past the paine . UUith this great feare I started , and awoke ▪ Crying aloude , Lord Iesus , come againe . But after that no kinde of rest I tooke : I preas'd to sléepe , but it was all in vaine . I would haue dreamde of pleasure after paine , Because I know I shall it finde at last . God grant my Guide may still with me remaine : It is to come that I belieu'd was past . This is a Dreame , and yet I thought it best , To write the same and kéepe it still in minde : Because I knew there was none earthlie rest Preparde for vs , that haue our hearts inclinde To séeke the Lord : we must be purgde and finde : Our drosse is great , the fire must trie vs sore . And yet our God is mercifull and kinde , He shall remaine , and help vs euermore . The way to Heauen , I sée , is verie hard : My Dreame declares , that we haue farre to goe . We must be stout , for cowardes are debard . Our flesh of force must suffer paine and wo. These dririe wayes , and many dangers mo . Awaite for vs : we can not liue in rest . But let vs learne , since we are warned so . To cleaue to Christ , for he can help vs best . O sillie soules , with paine so sore opprest , That loue the Lord , and long for Heauen so hie : Change not your mindes , for ye haue chose the best . Prepare your selues , for troubled must ye bée . Faint not for feare in your aduersitie : It is the way that leades you vnto life . Suffer a while , and ye shall shortly sée The Land of rest , when ended is your strife . In Wildernesse ye must be tride a while . Yet forward preasse , and neuer flée aback : Like Pilgrimes poore , and Strangers in exile . Through faire and foule your journey ye must take , The Deuill , the World , and all that they can make , Will send their force to stop you in the way : Your flesh will faint , and sometime will grow stack , Yet come to Christ , and he shall help you aye . The thornie cares of this deceitfull life , Will reut your hearts and make your souls to bléed : Your flesh and spirit will be at deadly strife , Your cruell foe will hold you still in dread , And throw you downe , yet rise againe with spéed . And though yée fall , yet lye not loytring still : But call on Christ , to help you in your néed , Who will not faile his promise to fulfill . In floods of woe when yée are like to drowne , Yet climbe to Christ , and gripe him verie fast : And though yée sinke , and in the déep fall downe , Yet crie aloude , and he will heare at last . Dread not the death nor bée not sore agast , Though all the earth against you should conspire , Christ is your guide : and when your paine is past , Yée shall haue joye aboue your heartes desire . Though in this earth ye shall exalted be , Feare shall be left , to humble you withall : For if ye climbe on toppes of Mountaines hie : The higher vp , the nearer is your fall : Your honey swéet shall mixed be with gall . Your short delight shall end with paine and griefe . Yet trust in God , for his assistance call : And he shall help , and send you soone reliefe . Though waters great doe compasse you about , Though Tyrants threat , though Lions rage & rore , Defie them all , and feare not to winne out : Your Guide is neare , to help you euermore , Though prickes of yron doe pricke you verie sore , As noysome luttes , which séeke your soules to stay : Yet crie on Christ , and hee shall goe before : The nearer Heauen , the harder is the way . Runne out your race , yée must not faint nor tire , Nor sit , nor stand , nor turne aback againe , If yee intend to haue your heartes desire . Preasse forward still , although it were with paine : No rest for you , so long as yée remaine , As Pilgrimes poore , into this loathsome life . Fight out your fight , it shall not be in vaine , Your rich reward is worth a greater strife . If after teares yée liue a while in joye , And get a taste of that Eternall glore , Bée not secure , nor slip not your conuoy : For if ye doe , yee shall repent it sore . Hée knowes the way , and hée shall goe befor . Climbe you alone , yee shall not misse a fall . Your filthie flesh , it must be troubled more , If ye forget vpon your God to call . If Christ bée gone although yée séeme to flie , With golden winges , aboue the Firmament : Come downe againe , yée shall not better bée : That pride of yours yée shall right sore repent . Then hold him fast , with humble heart aye bent . To follow him , although through Hell and Death , Hée went before his soule was torne and rent , For your desertes , hée felt his Fathers wrath . Though in the ende yée suffer torments fell , Cleaue fast to him , that felt the same before : The way to Heauen , must be through death and hel . The last assault will trouble you full sore . The Lyon then most cruellie will roare : His time is short , his forces hée will bend . The greater strife , the greater is your glore : Your paine is short , your joye shall neuer ende . Rejoyce in God , let not your courage faile , Yée chosen Sainctes , that are afflicted héere . Though Sathan rage , hée neuer shall preuaile . Fight to the ende , and stoutlie perseuere : Your God is true , your blood is to him deare . Feare not the way , since Christ is your conuoy . When clouds are past , the weather wil grow cleere : Yee sow in teares , but yée shall reape in joye . But death and hell haue lost their cruell sting , Your Captaine Christ hath made them all to yeeld . Lift vp your heartes , and praises to him sing : Triumph for ioye , your enemies are kilde . The Lord of Hostes , that is your Strength & Shield , The Serpents head hath stoutlie trodden downe : Trust in his strength , passe forward in the field : Ouer come in fight , and ye shall weare the crowne . The King of kinges , if hée bée on our side , Wée néede not feare : who dare against vs stand ? Into the field may we not boldlie hide , When hée shall help vs with his mightis hand ? Who sits aboue , and rules both Sea and Land : Who with his breath doth make the hilles to shake : The Hostes of Heauen are armde at his command , To fight the field , when we appeare most weake . Pluck vp your heartes , yée are not left alone , The Lambe of God shall lead you in the way : The Lord of Hostes , that reignes on royall Throne , Against your foes his Banner will display , The Angels bright shall stand in good array , To hold you vp : yée néed not feare to fall , Your enemies shall flée , and bée your prey : Yée shall triumph , and they shall perish all . The joye of Heauen is worth a moments paine : Take courage then lift vp your hearts on hie . To judge the Earth when Christ shall come againe , Aboue the cloudes yée shall exalted bée . A Crowne of Ioye , and true Felicitie , Awaites for you , when finisht is your fight . Suffer a while , and yée shall shortlie sée , A Glore most great , and infinite of weight . Prepare your selues , bée valiant men of warre , And thrust with force out through the narrow way : Hold on your course , and shrinke not back for feare , Christ is your guide , yée shall not goe astray . The time is neare , bée sober , watch , and pray , Hee sées your teares , and hée hath laid in store , A rich reward , which in that joyfull day , Yée shall receiue , and reigne for euermore . Now to the King that create all of nought ; The Lord of Lordes , that rules both land and sea : That sau'd our soules , and with his blood vs bought , And vanquisht Death , triumphing on a Trée : Unto the great and glorious Trinitie , That saues the Poore , and doeth his owne defend : Bée Laude and Glore , Honour and Majestie , Power and Praise : Amen , World without end . FINIS . A VERIE COMFORTABLE SONG . To the tune of Shall I let her goe ? AWay vaine World , bewitcher of mine heart : My sorrow showes , my sinnes make mée to smart . Yet will I not despaire , But to my God repare : Hée hath mercie aye , Therefore will I pray : Hée hath mercie aye , and loues mée , Though by his humbling hand hée proues mée . Away , away , too long thou hast mée snarde , I will not lose more time , I am preparde : Thy subtile sleightes so slée , They haue deceiued me : Thogh they swéetly smile . Smoothly they begyle , Though they swéetlie smile , Suspect them : The simple sort they fyle , Reject them . Once more , away , shewes loath the world to leaue , Bids oft , away , with her that holdes mée slaue . Loath I am to forgoe , That swéet alluring foe : Since thy wayes are vaine , Shal I them cetaine ? Since thy wayes are vaine . I quite thée : Thy pleasures shall no more delite mée . A thousand times , away , oh : stay no more . Swéet Christ mée saue , lest subtile sinne deuoure . Without thine helping hand , I haue no force to stād . Lest I turne aside , Let thy grace mée guide : Lest I turne aside , Draw neare mée , And when I call for help , Lord , heare mée . What shall I doe ? Are all my pleasures past ? Shall worldlie lustes now take their leaue at last ? Yea , Christ these earthly toys , Shal turn to heauēly joys : Let y e world be gone , I le loue Christ alone : Let the world hée gone , I care not , Christ is my Lord alone , I feare not . FINIS . Psal. 51. verse . 10. Create in mee a cleane heart , O God , and renew a right spirit within me . DEVS NON DESPICIES F·W COR CONTRITVM ET HVMILIATVM Vers. 17. The sacrifices of God are a contrite spirit : A contrite and a broken heart , O God , thou wilt not despise . 
A46242	----	Divine raptvres; or, Piety in poesie digested into a queint diversity of sacred fancies / composed by Tho. Iordan ... Jordan, Thomas, 1612?-1685? This text is an enriched version of the TCP digital transcription A46242 of text R10497 in the English Short Title Catalog (Wing J1028). Textual changes and metadata enrichments aim at making the text more computationally tractable, easier to read, and suitable for network-based collaborative curation by amateur and professional end users from many walks of life. The text has been tokenized and linguistically annotated with MorphAdorner. The annotation includes standard spellings that support the display of a text in a standardized format that preserves archaic forms ('loveth', 'seekest'). Textual changes aim at restoring the text the author or stationer meant to publish. This text has not been fully proofread Approx. 84 KB of XML-encoded text transcribed from 29 1-bit group-IV TIFF page images. EarlyPrint Project Evanston,IL, Notre Dame, IN, St. Louis, MO 2017 A46242 Wing J1028 ESTC R10497 12425162 ocm 12425162 61816 This keyboarded and encoded edition of the work described above is co-owned by the institutions providing financial support to the Early English Books Online Text Creation Partnership. This Phase I text is available for reuse, according to the terms of Creative Commons 0 1.0 Universal . The text can be copied, modified, distributed and performed, even for commercial purposes, all without asking permission. Early English books online. (EEBO-TCP ; phase 1, no. A46242) Transcribed from: (Early English Books Online ; image set 61816) Images scanned from microfilm: (Early English books, 1641-1700 ; 944:3) Divine raptvres; or, Piety in poesie digested into a queint diversity of sacred fancies / composed by Tho. Iordan ... Jordan, Thomas, 1612?-1685? [2], 46 [i.e. 54] p. [s.n.], London : 1646. Reproduction of original in Huntington Library. eng Religious poetry, English -- Early modern, 1500-1700. A46242 R10497 (Wing J1028). civilwar no Divine raptures or, Piety in poesie; digested into a queint diversity of sacred fancies. Composed by Tho. Iordan, Gent. Jordan, Thomas 1646 13733 12 0 0 0 0 0 9 B The rate of 9 defects per 10,000 words puts this text in the B category of texts with fewer than 10 defects per 10,000 words. 2003-01 TCP Assigned for keying and markup 2003-02 SPi Global Keyed and coded from ProQuest page images 2003-06 Judith Siefring Sampled and proofread 2003-06 Judith Siefring Text and markup reviewed and edited 2003-08 pfs Batch review (QC) and XML conversion DIVINE RAPTVRES OR PIETY IN POESIE ; Digested Into a Queint Diversity of sacred FANCIES . Composed by Tho. Iordan , Gent. Demost : Plus ●l●i quam vini mihi consumptum est . LONDON , Printed by Authoritie , for the use of the Author . 1646. The Preface . YOV wanton Lads , that spend your winged time , And chant your eares , in reading lustfull rime , Who like transform'd Acteon range about , And beate the woods to finde Diana out , I' st this you 'ld have ? then hence : here 's no content For you , my Muse ne're knew what Venus meant ; But stay : I may subvert your rude conceit ; And every verse may proove a heavenly baite : O that ye were such captives ! then be Thrice happy : such as these are onely free , Leave , leave your wanton toyes ; and let alone Apollo sporting at his Helicon , Let Vulcan deale with Venus , what 's to thee Although shee dandle Cupids on her knee ? Be not inchanted with her wanton charmes , Let her not hugge thee in her whorish armes , But wisely doe ( as Neptune did ) in spite Of all , spue out the Lady Aphrodite , Come , come fond lad , what ? would'st thou faine espye , A glorious object for thy wandring eye ? And glut thy sight with beauty ? would'st behold A visage that will make thy Venus cold ? If this be all , I le give thy eye delight : Come see that face that lendes the Sunne his light , Come see that face that makes the heavens to shine , Come see that glorious face , that lends thee thine , Come and behold that face which if thou see , Aright , t' will make the earth a heaven to thee , Come see that glistring face from which arise Such glorious beames that dazels Angels eyes , What canst have more ; but dost thou thinke that such ? A comely visage will not let thee touch ? Or dost thou thinke a Sunne that shines so cleare , Will scorne to let a lesser Orbe come neere ? No thou mistak'st : say , dost thou t●uely thirst , For him ? : I dare avouch hee lov'd thee first , Be not dismaid , It needes no more dispute , Come give this glorious face a kinde salute . THE WORLDES METAMORPHOSIS . BEfore all time , when every thing did lye , Wrapt in a Chaos of deformity , When all things nothing were , and could present No comely frame , no heaven , no element , No earth , no water , fire or ayre alone But all as t were compounded all in one , Then with a word our Tri-une Iove did bring , This nothing Chaos into every thing ; Yea then our great Iehovah did present A severall region to each element , Then Time , his houres began to measure out , And he most nimbly garison'd about , This new created Orbe : he tooke his flight And hurried restlesse on both day and night , His motion was so quicke , that scarce t was ey'd , He for ten thousand worlds won't squint aside , Nor once turne backe his head ; by chance I viewd His flight , his wings I thought were then renewd , Yea his unwearied feathers did so soare Swiftly , as if they never flew before , As when the Thracians from their snaky bow Did make there featherd darts so swiftly goe , That they out ranne all sight , so time did flie , As if he strove with winged Mercurie ; No weapon all this while for his defence He bore , he dealt with none but innocence , And now those feggy mists that so did lye , Cloyster'd together from eternity Were all dispersd ; yea now t was very bright And darkenesse was unfetter'd from the light ; When this was done , our great Iehovah lent The world ( as yet scarce made ) a firmament , He separated waters wondrous well , Then Seas with surging billowes ganne to swell , And tossed to and fro with every wave , As if the fretfull region would out brave Her owne Creator ; they were not content With their but now appointed regiment , Their watry mountaines did so oft aspire To Heaven , as if they would be placed higher , But now great Iove lookt on they did not dare Surpasse their stations , nay , nor once impaire Their bounds , he quickly queld their lusty prankes , And causd the waves to crouch within their bankes , When he had conquerd this unruly stran , Within two dayes he crownes Leviathan , King of the liquid region , and doth give Ten thousand thousand more with him to live , Then fruitfull earth which is the Ocean barres 〈…〉 and heavens bespangled all with starres The ●unne begins 〈…〉 , And proudly danceth up the Orient , He nor his horses can no longer sleepe , But gallop from the orientall deepe , He rid so fast that in few houres was spide All bravely wrapt in his meridian pride , But when he clamber'd to the highest brinke , He view'd the fabricke , then began to sinke , And all the way as hee did homewards goe , He laughed , to see so brave a frame below , Still whipping on his Iades , untill his head Was safely laid into his Westerne bed . Silver Lucina as yet did not enter , But lay immured within the reeking center , Whilst he had mounted on his flaming seate , And viewd a glorious orbe , wondrous , compleate , With that the purple Lady straight prepares , Attended with ten thousand thousand starres , Shee clambers up in this her rich aray , And viewes the goodly building all the way , Sweete smiles shee cast from her admiring eye , Whilst all her little babes stood twinkling by , Playing the wantons by their mothers side , As if they were inamour'd with the pride Of such a Fabricke : to expresse their mirth , Some shot from heaven , as though they 'd live on Earth , This done , sweete Phoebe soone beganne to drop Her borrowed beames into her brothers lap , And ever since to see this glorious sight One laughes at day ; the other smiles at night . And can you blame them ? earth is spread with bowres , And trees , and proudly deckt with sundry flowers , Shee that ere while in dunghill Chaos lay , Is now with Vi'lets purp'ld every day , And damaskt all with Roses , yea shee s clad With sweeter herbes then ever Ceres had , Her fruitfull wombe brings forth most dainty cates , And lovely fruites , these are her comely brattes , No rusticke Plowman now doth take the paines To peirce her entrailes , or to squeeze her veines , But heaven and shee unites , they scorne to see A bastard weede , disgrace their pedigree , Shee 's overspread with pinkes and Daffadillies , Carnations , Roses , and the whitest Lilies , Those fondlings lolling in her armes doe lye , Shaking their heads , and in her bosome dye ; These in their mothers sides doe take their rest , Till they doe drop their leaves into her brest , And now the little birds doe every day , Sit singing in the boughs , and chirpe , and play , The Phesant and the Partridge slowly flye , Vndaunted even before the Faulcons eye , Now comes Behemoth with his Lordly gate , Gazing , as if he stood admiring at So rich a frame , first having fixt his sight On glorious earth , he alwayes tooke delight In viewing that ; and would not looke on high , Nay all the glorious spangles of the skye Could not entice him , ever from his birth He spent his time in looking on the earth . All other beasts their greedy eyes did fling On lovely earth , as did their crowned King : Yea now the Lion with the Lambe did goe , And knew not whether blood were sweete or no , The little Kids to shew their wanton pride , Came dancing by the loving Tigers side , The Hare being minded with the Hounds to play , Would give a sporting touch , and so away , And then returne , being willing to be found , And take his turne to chace the wanton Hound . The busie Mice sat sporting all the day , Meane while the Cat did smile to see them play . The Foxe stands still , to see the Geese asleepe , The harmelesse Wolfe now grazeth with the Sheepe , Here was no raping , but all beasts did lye As link'd in one , O Heavenly Sympathy ! The goodly Pastures springing from the Clay , Did wooe their mouthes to banquet , all the way Was spread with dainty herbes , and as they found Occasion , they would oft salute the ground , Those uncontrouled creatures then begunne To sport , and all lay basking in the Sunne , No creature was their Lord , gaine said by none , As if that Heaven and earth were all their owne . Thus when this mighty builder did inrobe Himselfe with night , and Chaos to a globe Convert , of this he tooke a serious view , And did as t were create it all anew , He made a little Orbe , cald man ; the same , Onely compacted in a lesser frame , For what is all this all , that man in one Doth not enjoy . A man that 's onely blowne With heavens breath , a man that doth present Life , Spirit , sense , and every element : Yea in this little world great Iove did place His glorious Image , and this miry face Was heavens picture , t was this face alone That still lookt up to his Creators throne , Then God did make ( a place to be admir'd , Surely t was heaven it selfe had then conspir'd , To finde it out , ) a garden sweetly blowne , With pleasant fruite , and man's exempt from none , Of all these plants , except a middle tree , And what can one among a thousand bee ! O glorious place , that God doth now provide For durty clay ! the earth in all her pride , He tramples on : and heav'n that 's so beset With spangles and each glistring Chrysolet Doth give attendance , yea it serves to be A covering for his head , his Canopie . Thus man of heaven and earth is all possest , This span of durt , is Lord of all the rest , Me think's I see how all the Creatures bring Their severall Congies to their new made King , Behemoth which ere while did range about Vncheckt , and tossing up his bony snowt , Feard none : now having cast his rowling eyes Vpon his Lord , see how he crouching lyes , Behind a sheltring bush , he seemes to be , Imploring aide of every spreading tree , The Lyon which ere while was in his pride , Squinting by chance his gogle-eyes aside , Espies his King , he dares not stay for haste , Spues out his meate halfe chaw'd , and will not taste Of his intended food ; but sneakes away , Counting his life to be his chiefest prey , It was but now the raven was espide , Sporting her wings upon the Tigars hide , But now , O how her feather'd sayles doe soare , As if shee vowd to touch the earth no more ! See how the Goates doe clamber to the top Of highest mountaines , and the Conies drop Into their holes , see how the Roebucke flings himselfe , almost exchanging legs for wings . Why ? what 's the matter , that ye haste away , Ye that ere while , were sporting all the day ? Tell me yee Creatures , say , what fearefull sight Hath put you to this unexpected flight ? Speake , speake thou giddy lambe , wer 't not thou spide At play but now ? why then dost skip aside ? What ? is it man that frights you ? can his face Stretch out your legs unto their swiftest pace ? Can one looke daunt you all ? what neede this bee ? Are ye not made of Clay , as well as hee ? Have ye not one Creator ? are ye not His elder Brothers , and the first begot ? Why start ye then ? is it not strange to see One weake-one make ten thousand strong ones flee ? But ah I neede not aske , I know it now , You spied your makers image in his brow . T' was even so indeed , no time to stay , Your Lord was comming , fit , he should have way . And thus these Creatures dares not come in sight ; Surely t' was heavens Idea , causd the fright . Now see how flattering earth doth strive alone To please this Lord ; each tree presents a done , See how the fruite hangs with a comely grace , And wooes his hands to rent them from their place , O how they bow , and would not have him bring His hands to them , they bend unto their King , But if by chance he will not plucke and taste , They breake the boughes , and so for griefe they waste . See how the little pinkes when they espie Their Lord , doe Curtsy as he passeth by , The wanton Dazies shake their leavy heads , The purple Vilets startle from their beds , The Primrose sweete and every flowre that growes , Bestrowes his way with odours as he goes ; Thus did the herbes , the trees , the pleasant flowres Welcome their Lord into his Eden bowres . But all this while , the earth with all her pride , Shee nor her store could not aford a bride Fitting for man , no , no , to end the strife The man himselfe must yeeld himselfe a wife , It was not meete for him to be alone . Then did our one-in-three our three-in-one Cast him into a sleepe , and did divide His ribbes , and brought a woman from his side . When this was done , the devill did entice The wife from Gods , unto his Paradice , See how the lying serpent maketh choise Of the forbidden tree : a tacite voice It hath indeede most lovely to the eye , Presents it to her , and shee by and by Forsooth must taste : and so must Adam too . What cannot women by entreaties doe ! God he intends a wife for mans reliefe , But oftentimes shee prooves the greatest griefe . Was there but one forbid ? and must shee bee So base a wretch to taste of such a tree ? Must Adam too ? Ah see how shee pluckes downe Her husbands glory , and kickes off his crowne ! O see how angry God himselfe comes downe , To curse these wretches ! heaven begins to frowne , Alas poore naked soules , me thinkes I see Transformed Adam crouch behind a tree , T' is time to runne when once God doth reject him , T is not his leavy armour can protect him , Heaven and hell with all the spight they can Strive for revenge against this monster man . O how the Creatures frowne , and bend their brow , As if they all conspir'd and tooke a vow Against this caytive , hearke how earth complaines That shee by man is barrd of mod'rate raines , Shee s now become a strumpet , fruitfull seedes , And dainty flowers , are turn'd to bastard weedes , Disrob'd of all her glory , lost her pride , The creatures now lie starving by her side , O how shee sighes , and sends up hideous cryes , To see poore cattell fall before her eyes , For want of foode : they rip their mothers wombe For meate , but finding none , doe makt their tombe , Harke how the buls and angry Lyons roare To heaven , and tell how man decreast their store , Heare how the little Lambes which yesterday Did honour to their King , and gave him way , O how they begge for vengeance to come downe On man , and dispossesse him of his Crowne , See , see what raping and what cruell thrall Is us'd : t is man alone that murders all , The Lion mild ere while for want of foode , Doth fill his paunch with unaccustom'd blood , The wolfe which lately was more apt to keepe The tender lambes , now prosecutes the sheepe , Surely the ravenous beasts ( did not they spye The glimpse of heaven within mans purblind eye , ) Would straight devoure him , did not mercy now Come downe and smooth her fathers wrinkled brow : The earth would scorne to beare him , but divide Her selfe , and make this Dathan sincke in pride ; The earth would not indure the plough to passe Into her iron sides , the heavens as brasse Would soone become , and both doe what they can To starve up this deformed monster man . See how this Caytife causeth discontent , And raiseth discord in each element , How often have I seene the raging fire Vnto the top of highest Towres aspire , And clamber mighty buildings ? t is unbound , Surely t' would burne the fabricke to the ground , Did not our God looke from his mercy seat , And make the watry sister quell the heate . How is the ayre poysned with misty fogges , And churlish vapours ; onely such that clogs The Corps with deadly humours , such that brings The Pestilence , yea such that quickely flings Loathsome diseases alwayes tipt with death , Did not Iove fanne it with his mighty breath . Harke how the impatient seas beginne to thunder , As if they 'd rent their prison walls in sunder ; See how the mounting waves doe swiftly flye To heaven , as if they meant to tell the skye How basely man hath dealt : O how they roare , Beating their foming waves against the shore , Chiding their sister earth that dares to beare So base a wretch ; see how the waves doe teare Her bowels , and with all the spight they can Strive for to drowne this wretched Caytife man . CHRISTS BIRTH AND PASSION . O Thou most Sacred Dove that I may write Thy praises , drop thou from thy soaring flight A quill : come aide my muse , for shee intends To sing such love no mortall comprehends , Guide thou her stamring tongue , and let her be Strongly protected in her infancy , Then shee 'll tell how the King of Kings by birth Forsooke his throne , to live on dunghill earth , Then shee 'le declare how great creating Iove , Whose starre-depaved pallace is above All whose attendance is a glorious troope , Of glitt'ring cherubs , unto whom doe stoope Each glorious Angell , flinging himselfe downe , Presenting at his feete his pearely crowne , To be his pallace heaven it selfe 's not meete , And dunghill earth's too little for his feete ; Yet this great King-creating King did slide To earth , and laid his Diadem aside , Exchanging it for thornes , and did untire His glorious selfe , and clad himselfe in mire ; At whose appearance singing Angels shot Like starres from heaven ( newes nere to be forgot ) Yea winged Cherubs from the highest came As Heavens Heralds to divulge his fame . All heaven did obeysance but for earth ( Vngratefull soile unworthy of the birth Of such a babe ) t was readier to intombe The dying Lord , then to afford a roome , Proud Salem was too high to entertaine Poore Maries babe , t was kept for Herods traine , And Rome that seavenhild Citty was too greate To lodge this Child , t is Caesars royall seate , T' is Bethlem , little Bethlem must suffice To lighten Iosephs Consorts weary thighes , And that 's almost too proud to lodge him in , No private house , but even a vulgar Inne , And tha're not harbourd in the choisest roomes , No , not so well as with the common groomes , But this ( ah most unworthy ) worthy guests Is thrust ( and gladly too ) among the beasts , He that before was wont to take his rest , All coverd in his fathers silken breast , Is now constrained to lay his worthy head , Vpon an undeserved strawy bed , He that was wont to heare the pleasant tones Of sweete-voyc'd Angels , now the saddest grones Of dolefull Mary , mixt with brinish teares , These onely these are harbour'd in his eares , The Babe is scarcely borne , but sought to dye , As yet not learn'd to goe , but forc'd to flye , And to avoid the Tetrarchs furious Curse , Hard hearted Egypt's now become a Nurse , He that can make both Heaven and earth to dread , Loe patiently takes all , and hides his head , Yet hee 'le returne , no , not the bitter wrongs , Nor spightfull usage , nor the smarting thongs , Nor sharpest scourges , no nor blackest hell , Can quench the boundlesse love , nor yet expell His strong affections , let the traitors set A thorny crowne on 's head , and also wet His glorious face with spittle , and deride , And scourge till blood falls trickling downe his side , Nay though he be constrain'd to leave his breath , And 's dying soule is heavy unto death , He can't but smile upon his bitter foe , And love the traitors whe're they will or no , Yet see how ●ordid man repayeth all His kindnesse , with an undeserved thrall , Whil'st he ( sad soule ) lay prostrate all alone , Fast fixing both his eyes at heavens throne , And sending up such sighes , as though he 'd make The weakned vaults of heaven and earth to shake , His sweate dropt downe like dew , and as he stood He staind Mount Olives with his Crimson blood , Whilst all his sad Disciples drowsy lye , Scarce able to hold up a sluggish eye , Now he 's betraid by Iudas , he that bore The bagge , and was intrusted with the store , He that did scorne the traitors name , and cry , Who shall betray thee Lord ? Lord speake ? is 't I ? Yet now an abject Christ becomes , to be , And thirty pence is valu'd more then he , The bloody steward with a treacherous kisse Forsooke his Master and eternall blisse , And sould the body of a Lord so good To souldiers , such as thirsted after blood , And then for feare the Innocent should passe Vntoucht , was straight accused by Caiaphas , Condemn'd by Pontius Pilate , to expell The guilt , he washt his hands , and all was well , O see what force weake water had to quench His sparkling Conscience , and his flaming sence ! Alas not Nilus , no nor Iordans flood Can cleanse the staines of such a Crimson blood ; No t is the streames of a repenting eye T is onely this takes out a scarlet dye , Thus our Astrea stands arraign'd to dye And nothing's to be heard but Crucifye : When this alarum sounded to the hight And heav'n and hell conspired both to fight Against this Captaine , then his daunted troope Forsooke their Lord , each soule began to droope ; Yet gracious he imparted his renowne He wonne the battell and gave them the Crowne , Yea he became a curse that knew no sinne He was inrob'd and disinrob'd ag'in ; His temples crown'd with thornes , his glorious face Was spit upon and beate with all disgrace That abject slaves could use , and then they cry , To blinded Christ who beate thee ? prophecy . Ah stupid soules as if that piercing sight That viewes all secrets in the darkest night , That tries the thoughts of every heart , and stares Into each soule is now as blind as theirs ; Thus was he basely us'd , but all 's not done The hell-invented fury is to come , By vulgar slaves the very Sonne of God Is falsely scourg'd and forc'd to kisse the rod , Yea he whose nostrils able are to cast Out flame , and burne the world at every blast , Whose mighty breath is able for to fanne Ten thousand worlds , and puffe out every man Like chaffe , and make the flanting world to tosse Like waves , is now compeld to beare his crosse ; Whereon his body in a vulgar streete Hung naked pierc'd with nayles both hands and feete : The well of water , he that gave the first To all his creatures , now 's himselfe a thirst , Yea he to whom all thirsty creatures call For drinke , must now drinke vinegar with gall , They pierc'd his side from whence came watry blood , More soveraigne farre then all Bethesda's flood , These tyrants thus ( though to themselves denide ) Did make a way to heaven through his side . Alas my muse for sighes can scarce prolong The fatall tuning of so dire a song , To see heavens faire Idea seeme so foule Sobbing and sighing out his burdned soule , Those eyes which now seeme dim , were once so bright , From hence it was that Phoebus begd his light , Those armes which now hang weake did from their birth Support the tottring vaults of heaven and earth , That tongue that now lyes speechlesse in his head , A word of that would soone revive the dead , One touch of those Pale fingers would suffice To heale the sicke and make the dead man rise : Those legges which now are peircd by abject slaves were kindly entertaind amongst the waves : The coate whose warmth did give his sides reliefe The hem , the very hem could cure a griefe ; But now strength 's weake , th'omnipotent's a crying For aid , health's sicke and life it selfe 's a dying , His head hangs drooping and his eyes are fixt , His weakned armes growne pale , the sunne's eclipst ( O boundlesse love , thus thus thou didst expose Thy selfe no damned paines to save thy foes ) Hell fought against him , heaven began to frowne And justice soone sent vengeance posting downe , Who clad with fury , being angry shakes Her ugly head whose haire doth nurture snakes , Shee layes about her greedy of her prey Quencheth h●r t●irst with blood and so away , And mercy now lies cover'd in a cloud And will not heare although his sighes are loud ( Although his cries are such that cause a stone To heare , yet sinne makes heav'n forget her owne ) Heav'n frownes as if shee had her owne forgot , Mercy lookes off as if shee knew him not , He suffred paines that hell it selfe devisd , So much , that justice cride I am suffic'd : His tortures were so high , so great , so sore , That hell cride out : I can inflict no more : Which done the heavens closd up their lamping light And turn'd the day into a dismall night ; Bright Phoebus vaild his face and would not see , Wormes actors of so bloody treachery : And quivering earth her wonted rigour lackt And straight stood trembling at so dire a fact : The buri'd Saints arose to see betwixt Two dusky clouds , their glorious Sunne eclipst : Thus heav'n it selfe with the terrestriall Ball Doth joyne to celebrate his funerall : The Landlord of the globe who first did raise Earths fabricke , was a tenant for three dayes ; But when once Christ did cease to be turmoyld Heaven and he was gladly reconcil'd , Mercy came dancing from the angry denne Tost off her cloudy mantle , smild againe , Pearch'd on her brightest throne , and makes a vow To smooth the wrinckled furrowes of her brow : And grim fac'd vengeance shee that 's onely fed With poyson , dares nor shew her snaky head For feare : all angers banisht cleane away , Sterne justice now hath not a word to say , And now the Fathers anger being done Double imbraces entertaine the Sonne : As when a tender mother sometime beates Her wanton boy for his unruly feates Shee wipes his blubberd face and by and by Presents a thousand gugoyes to his eye , Shee angry with her selfe beginnes to seeke His former love teares trickling downe her cheeke , Quickly forgetting what was done amisse , Ending her anger in a lovely kisse , Doubtlesse her fondling burnes the rod and then Come peace my babe kisse and be friends agen . Iust so when God inflicted on his Sonne His bittrest wrath , the anger being done O then how soone he doubled his renowne ? Adorn'd his Temple with a richer Crowne ? Angry with those that would not heare his moane Ready to fling grim vengeance from his throne , And chide with mercy shee that once did runne To hide her selfe from this his dying Sonne , And for this fact would surely overthrow The fabricke , did not Iustice hold the blow . Thus heaven was friends againe , but sordid man Poore mortall dust whose dayes are but a span Doth strive against his God , like dogges that storme And barke and brawle and fome at Phoebes horne : Ah Lord , why are they so extreame to thee ? What is the cause thou madst their blindmen see ? Or why didst thou their fury thus inrage ? Because thou didst revive their dead mens age ? Me thinkes t is strange good God thou shouldst enflame Their anger by restoring legges too lame . How is it Lord thou sowedst glorious seedes And loe a harvest all compact of weedes ? Thou gavest them life , and spentst thy dearest breath For them , and now thou art repaid with death : What griefe was ere like thine ? would not thy mone Quickly dissolve an adamantine stone ? Wold not those sighs ( which could not peirce their eares ) Have turnd a rocke into a sea of teares ? Would not those wrongs thou bor'st without reliefe , Make every cave , to echo out thy griefe ? For greedy Lions are more kind then men , They entertaind thy limbe within their denne : Forget their wonted humours and became As carefull shepherdes to thy tender Lambe , The croking raven , shee whose natures wilde Became a tender nurse unto thy Childe , And to obey thy voice the stony rocke Became a springing fountaine to thy flocke , Yea rather then thy babes shall live in thrall , The very sea it selfe provides a wall , The flames forget their force , through thy constraint Lose heate and know not how to burne a Saint , Yea when thy souldiers wanted day to fight , The Sun stood still and lent them longer light : When boistrous seas did shew their lusty prancks , Scorning to be imprison'd in their banckes , And with their billowes vaulted up so high , As if they meant to scale the starry sky , And boundlesse Boreas from his frozen Cave Rusht out and proudly challeng'd every wave , One nod of thine did quell those seas agen , And sent proud Boreas to his sullen denne : Thus thou the senselesse creatures oft did'st checke , And mad'st the proudest pliant to thy becke , For devils trembled and that breath of thine Made them seeke shelter in a heard of swine , They knew thy greatnesse and confest thy name . Hell sent forth Heraulds to divulge thy fame But man ( Lord what 's he made of ? ) stupid soule Is now more greedy then the raping foule : Harder then slint , his nature is so grimme , That questionlesse the Lyon chang'd with him : Hotter then flame , more boystrous then the winde , More fierce then waves , and hels not more unkinde . Yet thou ( O match lesse love ) didst undergoe An undeserved curse to save thy foe : Yea guiltlesse thou because thou would'st suffice For guilty man , becom'st a Sacrifice . Thou Grand Physitian for thy patients good Didst mixe thy Physicke with thy dearest blood : Man from the sweetest flower did sucke his griefe But thou from venome didst extract reliefe , From pleasures limbecke man distild his paine Thou out of sorrow pleasure drawd againe , Sweete Eden was the garden where there grew Such sugred flowers , yet there our poyson blew , Sad Gethseman the arbour where was pluckt , Though bitter herbes , yet thence was hony suckt : So have I seene the busie Bee to feed , Extracting honey from the sowrest weed , Whilst Spiders wandring through a pleasant bowre Sucke deadly poyson from the sweetest flower , Thus , thus sweete Christ , thy sicknesse was our health , Thy death , our life , thy poverty our wealth , Thy griefe our mirth , our freedome was thy thrall , Thus thou by being conquerd conquerest all . CANT. 8.7 . Much water cannot quench love , neither can the floods drowne it . O How my heart is ravisht ! thoughts aspire To thinke on thee my Christ : my zeales on fire , What shall I doe my love ? me thinkes mine eyes Behold thee still , yet still I Tantalize ; Ten thousand lets stand arm'd and all agree , Conspiring how to part my love and me . Presumption like Olympus scales the skye , A mountaine for to part my Love and I. Despaire presents a gulfe , a greedy grave Much like the jawes of the internall Cave : But what of this ? though hils are nere so high Whose sunne-confronting tops upbraide the skye I le trample o're , and make them know t is meete Their proudest heads should stoope and kisse my feete : I le stride o're cares deeper then Neptunes well , Whose threatning jawes doe yawne as wide as hell : Although the sea boyles in her angry tides And watry mountaines knocke at Heavens sides , Though every puffe of Neptunes angry breath Should raise a wave and every wave a death , I le scorne his threates should stop my course , or quell My pace , though every death presents a hell : Yea I le adventure through those swelling stormes Whose billowes seemes to quench great Phoebes hornes , Mountaines shall be as molehilles , every wave Tost in the fretfull region , shall outbrave No more then streames that shew their wanton pranckes , Gliding along by Thames his petty banckes : But grant that seas should swell , and tossing tides With stormes should crush my waving vessels sides : Suppose for footemen mountaines are too steepe , Each hill too high , and every cave too deepe : Suppose all earth conspire to stop : care I ? My faith will lend me wings and then I le flye : O how I le laugh to see that mounting clay ! O how I le smile at that that stopt my way ! O how I laugh to see the Ocean straine Her banckes for to oppose and all in vaine ! And can you blame me ? when I 'me once above I le care for none , for none but thou my Love . Thou art my path : I shall not goe awry : My sight shall never faile : thou art my eye : Thou art my clothing : I shan't naked be : I am no bondman : thou hast made me free ; I am not pin'd with sickenesse : thou art health : I am no whit impoverisht , thou art wealth . Mans naturall infirmity . WHat meanes my God ? why dost present to me Such glorious objects ? can a blind man see ? Why dost thou call ? why dost thou becken so ? Wouldst have me come ? Lord can a Cripple go ? Or why dost thou expect that I should raise Thy glory with my voice ? the dumbe can't praise . Vnscale my duskye eyes , then I le expresse Thy glorious objects strong attractivenesse : Dip thou my limbes in thy Bethesdaes lake , I le scorne my earthly crutches , I le forsake My selfe : touch thou my tongue and then I le sing An Allelujah to my glorious King . Raise me from this my grave , then I shall be Alive , and I le bestow my life on thee Till thou Eliah-like dost overspread My limbs , I 'me blind , I 'me lame , I 'me dumbe , I 'me dead : The Melancholicke Soules comfort . O That I had a sweete melodious voice ! O that I could obtaine the chiefest choice Of sweetest musicke ! pre-three David lend Thy well-resounding harpe , that I may send Some praises to my God : I know not how To pay by songs my heart-resolved vow : How shall I sing good God ? thou dost afford Ten thousand mercies , trebled songs O Lord Cannot requite thee ! O that I could pay With lifetime songs the mercies of one day ! I oft beginne to sing , and then before My songs halfe finisht , God gives sense for more . Alas poore soule art puzzeld ? canst not bring Thy God some honour though thou strive to sing ? The Cause is this , thou art become his debter Hee le make thee play on musicke that is better . I Cannot play , my sobs doe stop my course , My grones doe make my musicke sound the worse . What nought but grones ? ah shall th' Almighties eares Be fild with sighes all vsherd in with teares ? I this is musicke : such a tune prolongs Gods love , and makes him listen to thy songs : T is this that makes his ravisht soule draw nigher , T is this outstrips the Thracian with his Lyre , T is this inchants thy God , t is this alone That drags thy spouse from heaven to heare thy tone : No better Musicke then thy sobs and cries , If not a Davids harpe , get Peters eyes . The Soule in love with Christ . WHat though my Love doth neate appeare ? And makes Aurora blush to see her ? Though nature paints her cheekes with red And makes proud Venus hide her head ? What though her crimson lips so mute Doe alwayes wooe a new salute , What though her wan●on eyes doe shine Like glistring starres and dazell mine ? T is Christ alone , Shall be my owne , T is him I will embrace , T is he shall be A Spouse to me , All beauty 's in his face . What though the earth for me prepares A present from her golden Quarres , And braggeth of her earely gaines , Exhausted from her silver vaines ? What though shee shew her painted brates And bids me smell her Violates ? And deckes her selfe in spring attire , To make my ravisht soule admire ? Yet all this shant My Soule inchant I le smile to see her pride I know where lies A better prize For Christ hath broch'd his side . What though the world doth me invite And daily play the Parasite ? Or with her gilded tales intice Me , to a seeming Paradise ? And paints her face and all day long Sits breathing out a Syrens song ? And shewes her pompe , and then in fine Tells me , that shee and hers are mine ? Yet none of this , Shall be my blisse , I le scorne the painted whore I will deride Her and her pride For Christ is this and more . What though insinuating pleasure , Preferres me to her chiefest treasure And every day , and every night Doth feede me with a new delight And slumbers me with lullaby Dandling me on her whorish thigh ? What though with her sublime pretences Shee strives t' imprison all my senses ? Yet shee shant be A trap to me Her freedome is but thrall , Her greatest coy Will but annoy , Till Christ doth sweeten all . Or what though profit with her Charmes Grasping the world within her armes Vnlades her selfe ? and bids me see What paines shee takes , and all for me ; And then invites me to her bower Filling my coffers every houre ? What though shee thus inlarge my store With every day a thousand more ? Yet let her packe And turne her backe , Her purest gold 's but drosse Her greatest paines Produce no gaines Till Christ come all is losse . Or what though Fortune should present Her high Olympicke regiment . And never my Ambition checke , But still be pliant to my becke ? What though she lends me wings to flie Vnto the top of Dignity , And make proud Monarches with her wheele Vncrowne their heads to Crowne my heele , I le not depend On such a friend , T is Christ is all my stay : Shee can revoke The highest spoke , Her wheeles turnd every day . Let none of these in me take place : Fond Venus hath a Vulcans face : And so till heaven be pleasd to smile Poore earth sits barren all the while : The world that 's apt to winne a foole It is my burden , not my stoole : Nor pleasure shall enchant my mind , Shee s smooth before , but stings behind : I will disdaine Their greatest gaine , And fortun 's but a feather , T is none of these Can give me ease , But Christ's the same for ever . Lord why hidest thou thy face from me . WHat drowsie weather 's this ? the angry skies Doe threaten stormes , and heav'n it selfe denies Her lovely visage , ah these darkned dayes Doe make my vitals drowsie , and decayes My soules delight : good God can I controule Or drive these pensive humours from my soule ? Ah no I can't my lively spirits keepe , Such drowsie weather 's fit for nought but sleepe . O thou eternall light that hast the sway In Ioves broad wals , thou scepter of the day , Thou heav'ns bright torch , thou glistring worlds bright eye , Why dost thou hide and so obscurely lye ? Come wrap thy selfe in thy compleate attire , Shew forth thy glory , make my soule admire Thy splendor , come and doe no longer stay But with thy glorious beames bestrow my way , Extirpe these foggy mists from out mine eyes , That I may plainly see where heaven lyes . Then I le awake , sweete Christ , doe thou display Thy glittering beames , send out a Summers day , I 'le rub my slumbring eyes , O then I 'le roame A life-time journey from my native home : The soule will sleepe and can't hold up her eyes Vntill the sunne of righteousnesse arise . Christs Resurrection . COme Rise my heart , thy Master 's risen , Why slug'st thou in thy grave ? Dost thou not know he broke the prison ? Thou art no more a slave . He rowled of the sealed stone That once so pondrous lay , And left the watchmen all alone And bravely scapt away . When flesh , the world , and Satan too Wont suffer thee to quatch , Learne of thy Master what to doe And cozen all the watch . Let not these clogging earthly things Make thee ( poore soule ) forsake him , Goe , ask of Faith , she 'le lend thee wings , Haste , fly , and overtake him . But harke my soule , I 'le tell thee where Thy Master sits in state : Goe knocke at heavens dore , for there : He entred in of late . If Peter now had kept the key Thou mightst get in with ease , But Iustice onely beares the sway And le ts in whom shee please . Shee 's wondrous sterne and suffers not A passenger to enter , Without thy Masters ticket got Thou mayst not touch her Center . But come my soule , let me advise , What needst thou to implore The Saints for ayde ? I know where lies For thee a private doore . Dost not remember since the pride Of base perfidious men Did thrust thy Master through the side ( Wert not thou wounded then . ) When Iustice is so sterne that thou Vnto a straight art driven , ( Come hearke and I will tell thee now ) Creepe through that wound to heaven . Sanctificat . O My head , alas my bones , O my wounded joynts doe smart , Flesh ere while as hard as stones , Now it akes in every part : Lord 't is thy Art . All thy Iudgements could not scare Me , nor make my soule to fly , Now one angry looke can reare Me , and make me pensive lye In misery . Lord there where I tooke my rise , There did I begin to reele , Surfetted in Paradise , And there I got a bruised heele , Which now I feele . Surely my disease was great , Sicke , and yet I felt no paine ; Hungry , yet I could not eate : Sore , yet could I not complaine : Yet all was gaine . For , good God , thy care was such ▪ That thou gavest me much reliefe , Yea thou lendedst me a Crutch , And didst make me know my griefe : Lord thou art chiefe . Thou hast made the rocke to weepe And my stony heart to groane , Thou hast rais'd me from my sleepe , And dost smile to heare my tone ; And lov'st my mone . But what need'st thou lend a Crutch , Thou canst make me perfect whole ? Thou canst heale me with a touch , By this thou know'st a woman stole , Cure for her dole . When leave I this halting pace ? When shall I most perfect be ? When thou shalt my glistring face , In the land of glory see . Lord perfect me . A Meditation on a Mans shadow . WHen as the Sunne flings downe his richest rayes , And with his shining beames adornes my wayes , See how my shadow trackes me where I goe , I stop , that stops ; I walke , and that doth so : I runne with winged flight , and still I spye My waiting shadow runne as fast as I. But when a sable cloud doth disaray The Sunne , and robs me of my smiling day : My shadow leaves me helpelesse all alone , And when I most neede comfort I have none : Iust so it is ; let him that hath the hight Of outward pompe , expect a parasite : If thou art great , thy honours will draw nigh : These are the shadowes to prosperity : O how the worldlings make pursuite to thee , With cap in hand and with a bended knee : But if disastrous fate should come betwixt Thee and thy Sunne , thy splendor's all eclipst : Thy friends forsake thee , and thy shadow 's gone , And thou ( poore sunne-lesse thou ) art left alone , This is thy Soules estate , the worldly gaine And greatest pompe , in stormy times are vaine : They are but shadowes when distresse comes nigh , They are as nothing to a faithfull eye . Yet here 's my comfort Lord , if I can see My shadow , I must needes a substance be . O let me not with worldly shadowes clogge My selfe , grant me more wit then Esops dogge . A Meditation on Childrens rashnesse . WHen Mothers are desirous for to play The wantons with their babes , and shew the way To finde their feete : to give their brats content , They wagge their sporting fingers , and present A penny in the forehead , or some pap , To win the Children to the Mothers lap : How soone will they their little grissels stretch , And runne apace , aspiring for to fetch This petty object ? never caring though Their way be full of stumbling blockes below : Thou art that Mother Lord , thou usest charmes , And still art dandling , Christ within thine armes Presents most glorious objects to our eyes , And shewes us where thy choisest mercies lies ; Why then are we so backward ? why so slow ? Or why so loth into thy armes to goe ? Small molehils seeme as mountaines in our way , And every light affliction makes us stay : Why should we stop at petty strawes below ? Make us thy Children Lord we shant doe so . A Meditation on a good Father having a bad Sonne . QVerkus of late was minded to dispute Of this , A tree that 's good brings forth good fruite . Hence he concludes such parents that have bin Converted , bring forth children void of sinne . Peace Querkus peace , and hold thy tongue for shame Dost not perceive that thy conclusion 's lame ? May not a graine that 's free from chaffe and cleare Cast in the ground , bring forth a chaffy care . A Meditation on a Weathercocke . SEe how the trembling Weathercocke can find Noe setled place , but turnes with every wind , If blustring Zephyr blowes and gives a checke , How soon 's this cocke made pliant to his becke , If Boreas gets the day , t will change its side , And turne in spite of bragging Zephyrs pride : Thus temporizers turne at every puffe , And yet forsooth they thinke they 're good enough , If stand , they stand : if he that seemes to be The greatest turne , they turne as fast as he , I wonder at such wav'ring feathers , did I So often turne t' would make me wondrous giddy . Lord let that wind that blowes upon thy flocke , Turne me , and make me Lord thy weathercocke . A Meditation on Cockfighting . SEe how those angry creatures disagree , Whilst the spectators sit and laugh to see . Doe not two neighbours often doe the same , Whilst that the Lawyers laugh to see the game ? A Meditation on an Echo and a Picture . SEe how Apelles with his curious art , Pourtraies the picture out in every part : If he can give 't a voyce , no doubt he can Compleatly make the shape a living man : Surely his worke would to his praise redound , Could he but give the shape he made , a sound : What wants the Echo of a living creature But Shape ? and what but voice this comely feature ? Yet both can't meete together : God alone , Will have this secret Art to be his owne . A Meditation on Noahs Dove . WHen God the floods from lands did undivide ? And made the skye aspiring mountaines hide , When heaven raind seas , and fountaines were unbound , And all mankind except eight soules were drownd ; Then did Ioves Pilot Noah make an Arke And thrust this little world into a barke : Yea then he sent a Dove to range about The Floods , to answer his uncertaine doubt : O how shee wanders up and downe the Seas , Fluttring her weary wings but findes no ease ! Shee sees no food , no resting place , no parke , But soone returnes into her wished Arke . Observe how tender Noah , full of Love , Opens the window to this weary Dove . Puts forth his hands to meete her , takes her in , But by and by shee flutters out agin : Shee findes an Olive leafe , and that shee brings Betweene her bill , hov'ring her tyred wings Vpon the Arke : still Noah is the same , Le ts in his wandring Dove that 's now made tame With restlesse flight ; once more shee gets away , And now shee spies the earth ( that lately lay Sok'd in the impartiall deluge ) in her pride , Adornd with dainty hearbes on every side ; When food is plenty , this ungratefull Dove Forgets her Noah , and his former love : Minds nothing but her selfe , shee that before Did crouch unto thee Arke , returnes no more . Thou art that Noah Lord , and Christ the boate , Afflictions are the waters that doe floate : Man is that wandring Dove , that often flies Vnto his Christ for shelter , else he dyes . How apt are we good God to use our wings , And flye to thee when all these outward things With floods are drowned up , though we have bin So vile , how apt art thou to catch us in ? O how our God when we have bin astray Puts forth his armes to meete us in the way , And take us home ! we are no sooner in But by and by we flutter out agin : This time by chance like Noahs Dove we see , The upper branches of some Olive tree , I meane some petty shelter : still we flye Vnto our God for aide or else we dye . How apt are we , when outward things forsake us , To haste to God ? how apt 's our God to take us ? The third time we are gone , now floods are husht The Sun-confronting mountaines bravely washt , The Seas give place , the lowest vallies seene , Yea all the earth most sweetly deckt in greene : Now we forget our God and post away , And after make an everlasting stay ? When worldly wealth comes in , and we can rest Vpon the creature : O how we detest Our former refuge ! if we find a Parke , We ne're returne unto our wonted arke . A Meditation on a Shippe . MArke how the floting vessell shewes her pride And is extold with every lofty tide ; But when it ebbes , and all the floods retire See how the bragging barke is plungd in mire : Iust so good God , how apt are we to swim When mercies fill our banckes unto the brim ? When worldly wealth appeares , and we can see Such outward blessings flow : then who but we ? But when it ebbes , and thou dost once unlinke These mercies from us : O how soone we sinke ; Good God let not the great estate possesse Me with presumption , nor despaire the lesse : Let me not sinke when such an ebbe appeares , No , let me swim in true repentant teares : A Meditation on a Windmill . OBserve it alwaies t is the makers skill To place the windmill on the highest hill ; It stands unusefull till the potent windes Puffe up the lofty sayles and then it grinds : Iust thus it is : the hypocrite 's the mill , His actions sayles , ambition is the hill , The wind that drives him is a blast of fame , If blowne with this he runnes , if not hee 's tame : He stirres not till a puffe of praise doth fill His sailes : but then , O how he turnes the mill ! Lord drive me with thy Spirit , then I le be Thy windmill , and will grind a grist for thee . A Meditation on Organs . HArke how the Organist most sweetely plaies His Psalmes upon the tone-divided Kayes : Each touch a sound , but if the hand don't come And strike the kayes , how soon 's the musicke dumbe ? A mod'rate stroke doth well , but if too hard The Organ 's broke , and all the raptures mard . I am that Organ Lord , and thou alone Canst play , each prayer is a pleasant tone , Affliction is the hand that strikes the kayes : ( O Lord from me the sweetest musicke raise : ) If thou don't strike at all how can I speake Thy worthy prayses , if too hard I breake : Strike mildly Lord , strike soft , and then I le sing , And charoll out the glory of my King . A Meditation on an Apes love . WHen once the foolish Ape hath fild her nest With little brats , there 's one among the rest , Shee most affects : to shelter this from harmes , Shee alwayes hugges it in her wanton armes . Vntill at length shee squeezeth out the breath , Of this her fondling , Loves the cause of death : The Worlds this wanton Ape , that still delights In hugging some peculiar favourites , Of those that are thus dandled by this Ape , There doth not one among a thousand scape . On contempt of the World . A Loft O Soule ; soare up , doe not turmoyle Thy selfe by grabbling on a dunghill soyle : Tosse up thy wings , and make thy soaring plumes Outreach the loathsome stench and noysome fumes That spring from sordid earth : come , come , and see Thy birth , and learne to know thy pedigree : What ? wast thou made of Clay ? or dost thou owe Homage to earth ? say , is thy blisse below ? Dost know thy beauty ? dost thou not excell ? Can the Creation yeeld a parallel ? The world can't give a glasse to represent Thy shape , and shall a durty element Bewitch thee ? thinke , is not thy birth most high ? Blowne from the mouth of all the trinity , The breath of all-creating Iove , the best Of all his workes , yea thee of all the rest He chose to be his Picture : where can I But in thy selfe see Immortality 'Mong all his earthly creatures ? Thou art chiefe Of all his workes : and shall the world turne theefe And steale away thy love ? wert not for thee The heav'n aspiring mountaine should not bee , The heavens should have no glistring starre , no light , No Sunne to rule the day , no Moone the night : The Globe had bin ( 'twas not the makers will To make it for it selfe ) a Chaos still : Thou art Ioves priestly Aaron to present The creatures service , while they give assent By serving thee , why then 's the world thy rest ? 'T is but thy servants servant at the best : It gives attendance to refined mire , That Iove hath wrapt thee in as thy attire ; For what 's the body but a lumpe of clay Carv'd neatly out , in which the soule beares sway ? T is servant to the soule : what limbe can stirre , Nay darst to quatch , if once shee make demurre ? See how the captiv'd members trembling stand Wondrous submissive to her dire command ! O how the legs doe runne with eager flight To overtake the object of delight ! See how the armes doe graspe as if they 'd rent To hold the thing that gives the soule content . Why what 's the body when the soule 's away ? Nought but a stincking carkasse made of clay . What 's heav'n without a God ? or what 's the skye If once bright Phoebus close his radiant eye ? The world was for our bodies , they for none But for our soules , our soules for God alone : What madnesse then for men of such a birth To nuzell all their dayes on dunghill earth , Still hunting after with an eager sent An object which can never give content ; For what contentment in the world can lye , That 's onely constant in inconstancy ? It ebbes and flowes each minuie : thou maist brag This day of thousands , and to morrow b●g : The greatest wealth is subject for to reele , The globe is plac'd on Fortunes tottering wheele : As when the gladding sunne begins to show And scatter all his golden beames below , A churlish cloud soone meetes him in the way , And sads the beauty of the smiling day : Or as a stately ship a while behaves Her selfe most bravely on the slumbring waves , And like a Swanne sailes nimbly in her pride The helpefull windes concording with the tide To mend her pace : but by and by , the wind The fretfull Seas , the heav'ns and all combin'd Against this bragging barke , O how they fling Her corkey sides to heaven , and then they bring Her backe : shee that ere while did sayle so brave Cutting the floods , now 's tost with every wave : Iust so , the waving world gives joy and sorrow , This day a Croesus , and a Iob to morrow : How often have I seene the miser blesse Himselfe in wealth , and count it for no lesse Then his adored God : straight comes a frowne Flying from unhappy fate , and whirleth downe Him , and his heapes of gold , and all that prize Is lost , which he but now did Idolize . But grant the world ( as never 't will ) to be A thing most sure most full of constancy , What is thy wealth unlesse thy God doth blesse Thy store , and turne it to a happinesse ? What though thy Table be compleatly spread With farre-fetcht dainties , and the purest bread That fruitfull earth can yeeld ? all this may bee , If thou no stomacke hast , what 's all to thee ? What though thy habitation should excell In beauty , and were Edens parallel ? Thou being pesterd with some dire disease , How can thy stately dwelling give thee ease ? Thy joyes will turne thy griefe , thy freedome thrall , Vnlesse thy God above doth sweeten all : When thou ( poore soule ) liest ready to depart , And hear'st thy Conscience snarling at thine heart , Though heapes of gold should in thy coffers lye , And all thy worthlesse friends stand whining by , 'T is none , 't is none of these can give thee health , But thou must languish in the midst of wealth . Then cease thou mad man and pursue no more The world , and know shee 's but a painted whore , Thou catchest shadowes , labourst in thy dreames , And thirst's amongst th' imaginary streames . A Meditation on a meane . LOrd in excesse I see there often lies Great dangers , and in wants great miseries : Send me a meane , doe thou my wayes preserve , For I may surfet Lord , as well as starve . On Sathans tempting Eve . ARt thou turn'd Fencer Sathan ? prethee say ? Surely thou art not active at thy play . Challenge a Woman ? fie thou art to blame , Suppose thou getst the day , thou getst no fame . But prethee speake , hast any cause to prate ? Thou bruis'd her heele , what though ? shee broke thy pate . On a Spunge . THe Spunge it selfe drinkes water till it swell it , But never empties till some strength expell it : Lord , of our selves we 're apt to soake in sinne , But thou art faine to squeeze it out agin . A Meditation on a chime of Bells . HArke ; what harmonious Musicke fils mine eare ? What pleasant raptures ? yet me thinkes I heare Each Bell that 's rung , to beare a various sound , Had all one note , how quickely t would confound The tune ; a discord in the bels arise , And yet they disagreeing , sympathize : T is not the greatest makes the sweetest noyse , No , but the skilfull Ringer still imployes The small as well as great , t is every bell Together rung , that makes them sound so well ; Thus t is in Common-weale : if every man Kept time , and place proportiond to him , than How sweetly would our musicke sound ? t would be The emblem of an Heavenly harmony , Where each man would be great , the land enjoyes No musicke , but a base prepostrous noyse , Each Bell sounds well : what though the tenor be The big'st ? the treble seemes as sweete to me : Le ts not aspire too high , experience tels The choisest chimes makes use of petty bels : But howsoever Lord , least I disgrace Thy sweet-voic'd chime , make me keepe time , and place . A Meditation on the burning a torch at noone day . WHen Sol doth in his flaming throne remaine , My Blazing torch doth spend it selfe in vaine , But when the sunne goes downe , and once t is night , O then how welcome is my torches Light , Sols radient beames at noone doe so surmount They make my tapers light of small accompt ; So Lord when thou dost great abundance send We cannot then so well esteeme a friend , We slight their helpes : they alwaies seeme most bright When dire affliction sends a dismall night . A Meditation on the sound of a crackt Bell. HArke how the Hoarsemouth'd Bell extends a tone Into mine eares ; delightfull unto none , The Mettal's good , t is some unwelcome skar , Some fatall cracke that makes the musicke jarre , But what of this ? although the sound be rough T will call me to the temple well enough : Such are those ill-lived Teachers who confound The sweetnesse of their soule converting sound By flawes seene in their unbeseeming lives , By which their heavenly calling lesser thrives : Yet Lord , I know they 're able for to bring My Soule to heaven , though with so hoarse a ring . But since thou dost such jarring tunes disdaine , Melt thou this mettall , cast these bels againe . A Meditation on a silly Sheepe . WHen all the Winds shew forth their boystrous pride , And every cloud unloads his spungy side , When Boreus blowes , and all the Heavens weepe , And with their stormes disturbe the grazing sheepe : See how the harmelesse creature , much dismaide , Doth crouch unto the bramble bush for aide : 'T is true , the bramble hides her from the winde , But yet it makes her leave her fleece behinde . Who can but smile at such that knowes not how To take the frownings of an angry brow ; Whose base revengefull spirits strive to crush Their foes , though fleece themselves at law'ers bush . Guide me good God , let me revenge no more , When once the cure growes worse then the sore . A Meditation on the Flowers of the Sunne . MArke how the flowers at night doe hang their heads As if they 'd drop their leaves into their beds , But when the morning sunne doth once arise They represent their glory to mine eyes , Then they unvaile their tops , and doe attire Themselves in beauty , as the Sunne goes higher . Thus Lord thy Saints on earth , when thou do'st hide , They cover all the glory of their pride , Their drooping soules doe wither , all their mirth . Is gone , they finde no pleasure in the earth : But when the Sunne of righteousnesse appeares , Then they display their beauty , and their feares Are all extinct : O Lord doe thou make me Thy Saint , that I may fall and rise with thee . A Meditation on a Loadstone , and Iet . WHen once the Loadstone shewes it selfe , then straight The Iron carelesse of its wonted waight , Vnto its wished object doth aspire , As if it did enjoy the sense , Desire , And thus the blacke-fac'd Iet is apt to draw The dust , and to inchant the wanton straw , This Iet and Loadstone well me thinkes imparts An embleme of our fond-attractiv'd hearts , The Spirit is that Loadstone that doth plucke Our Iron hearts , that once so fast were stucke Plung'd in the depth of sinne , and sets them sure , In spight of devillish mallice to indure . The World 's the Iet that often doth controule Vaine frothy man , and steale away his soule With her inchanting trickes ; thus Iet can bring Light strawes , submissive to so vaine a thing : Be thou my Loadstone Lord , then thou shalt see My Iron heart will quickely cleave to thee . A Meditation on false lookin-glasses . MAdam looke off ; why peep'st thou ? O forbeare , T will either make thee proud or else despaire ! Th'one glasse doth flatter thee above desart , The other makes thee blacker then thou art , Tell me sweete Lady , now thou hast both there , Dost not most love the glasse that makes thee faire ? T is our condition , we can seldome see A man that tels us truely what we be ; Our friends doe often flatter , and present Too fine a shape , and all to give content : Our rough-mouth'd foes do strive to lay a skar On us , and make us worser then we are , But yet of both , our lofty nature's such Indeed , we love our flattering friends too much : Give me a perfect Glasse , Lord cleare my sight , That I may see my selfe , and thee aright . A Meditation on hunting the Hare . OBserve how nature tutors senslesse Beasts , How quickly will they poste into their nests For feare of harme ; O how the trembling Hare Will shunne the dogge , and ev'ry bird the snare , See how the crafty Fox doth take his rounds , And clamber mountaines to avoid the hounds , If Nature shewes this ; to such creatures too , O what doth Reason and Religion doe ? How is it then , that Man so little feares The plots of Sathan and those dev'lish snares ? How apt are we good God to trample in , Nay t' urge occasions for to act our sinne ? Vnlesse we by thy spirit are possest , We are more stupid then the senslesse beast . A Meditation on the pride of Womens apparrell . SEe how some borrow'd off cast vaine attire , Can puffe up pamper'd clay , and dirty mire : Tell me whence had'st thy cloath's that makes thee fine , Wast not the silly Sheeps before t was thine ? Doth not the Silke worme and the Oxes hide Serve to maintaine thee in thy cheefest pride ? Do'st not thou often with those feathers vaile Thy face , with which the Ostridge hides her taile ? What art thou proud of then ? me thinks 't is fit Thou should'st be humble for the wearing it : Tell me proud Madam ; thou that art so nise , How were thy parents clad in Paradise ? At first they wore the armour of defence And were compleatly wrapt in innocence : Had not they sin'd , they ne're had beene dismaid Nor needed not the Fig-trees leavy ayde ! What ever state O Lord thou place me in Let me not glory in th' effect of sinne . A Meditation on a Wax Candle lighted . SEe how my burning Taper gives his light , And guids my wayes in the obscurest night , It wasts it selfe for me , and when t is spent The snuffe doth leave behind a wholsome sent : Thus doe thy Pastors Lord who shine most bright , They spend themselves to give thy people light , And when by thee their posting time 's confind , They dye and leave a lovely smell behind . A Meditation on an Elephant . THe Elephant doth alwayes chuse to drinke In durty ponds , and makes his paw to sinke And raise the mud , that so he may escape , Without the shadow of his ugly shape : Thus t is with guilty soules , who dare not peepe Into themselves , but make their conscience sleepe ; Cleanse me O Lord , and then I shall surpasse In beauty , and won't feare the looking glasse . A Meditation on a Bird in a Cage . SEe how my little prisoner hops about Her wyrie Cage , and sweetly ditties out Her various tunes : and since shee cannot flee Abroad , shee looks for meate from none but me : But if I ope my Cage , her lofty wings Supports her to the Forrest , where shee sings Some rustick notes , and when my bird can see Some meat abroad , shee seeks for none to me . T is thus , ( good God ) whilst thou on us dost bring Thy great afflictions , O how well we sing Thy prayse , whilst we thus imprisned be , Our faiths more active and our hop's on thee : But if thou let us loose , we quickly flye Abroad , and lose our wonted harmony . Our faiths more uselesse , if elsewhere we see Some foode , we seldome come for meate to thee , If thou wilt feede , and teach me Lord to praise , Then let me be thy prisoner all my daies . A Meditation on the fire . KEepe but an equall distance , then the fire Will give thee warmth unto thine hearts desire , But if thy daring spirit once presumes To cronch too nigh , it warmes not , but consumes , T is thus in things divine : Search thou Gods will Reveal'd , and then t will warme , but never kill : But pry into his secrets , then the ire Of God will burne thee like consuming sire : O Lord so warme me with thy sacred breath , That I may neither burne nor freeze to death . A meditation on boyes swimming with bladders . SEe what extreame delight some boyes have tooke Playing the wantons in some gliding brooke Vpon their bladders tumbling up and downe Though ne're so deepe , in spight of Neptunes frowne : They seldome learne to swimme : doe but unlincke Them from their bladders , then they quickely sincke , This Worlds a tossing Sea , fild to the brim With waves , where ev'ry man doth sincke or swim , These Bladderd Lads are such that still rely Vpon the creature , which gone , by and by Their drooping spirits faile : the faithfull man Is he that swims aright , and alwaies can Support himselfe , and with his art outbraves The fretfull Sea , though fild with angry waves : Lord give me faith , that I may still depend On thee , and sw●●● , what ever stormes thou send . On Cain and Abels offerings . ARt angry Cain ? what doe thy thoughts repine ? Is Abels offring better tooke then thine ? Didst not thou bring thy God a lovely prize And crowne his Altar with a sacrifice , Art not thou elder ? did not thy offring too Come from thy God ? what more could Abell doe ? I le tell thee Cain how Abel got the start , He with his offring , offered up his heart . On an Apprentices Boxe . THe Prentise after all his yearely painēs , Filleth his small mouth'd box with Christmas gaines , Yet though he fill his box unto the brim Vnlesse he breake it up , what 's all to him ? A miser's such a Boxe , that 's nothing worth , Till death doth breake it up , then all comes forth : Convert good God , or strike with some disease , Breake up such small mouth'd boxes , Lord as these . On Eves Apple . EVE for thy fruite thou gav'st too deare a price , What ? for an Apple give a Paradise ? If now a dayes of fruite such gaines were made A Costermonger were a devillish trade . On a faire house having ill passage to it . A House to which the builders did impart The full perfection of their curious art , Most bravely furnisht , in whose roomes did lye , Foote clothes of Velvet , and of tapestry ; I wondred at ( as who could not but doe it ) To see so rough so hard a passage to it : So Lord I know thy heaven 's a glorious place , Wherein the beauty of thy glistring face Inlightens all : thou in the wals dost fixe , The Iasper and the purest sardonyx , Thy gates are pearles , and every dore beset With Saphires , Emeralds , and the Chrysolet : Each Subject weares a crowne , the which he brings And flings it downe to thee , the King of Kings . But why 's the way so thorny ? t is great pitty The passage is no wider to thy Citty , Poore Daniel through his den and Shadrake's driven With his associates through the fire to Heaven , But yet we can't complaine , we may recall The time to minde when there was none at all , T' was Christ that made this way , and shall we be Who are his Servants , farre more nice then he ? No , I le adventure too , nay , I le get in , I le tracke my Captaine thorow thicke and thin . FINIS . Notes, typically marginal, from the original text Notes for div A46242e-640 The Chaos . 
A37242	----	A work for none but angels & men. That is to be able to look into, and to know our selves. Or a book shewing what the soule is, subsisting and having its operations without the body; its more th[e]n a perfection or reflection of the sense, or teperature of humours: how she exercises her powers of vegetative or quickening power of the senses. Of the imaginations or common sense, the phantasie, sensative memory, passions motion of life, local motion, and intellectual powers of the soul. Of the wit, understanding, reason, opinion, judgement, power of will, and the relations betwixt wit & wil. Of the intellectual memory, that the soule is immortall, and cannot dye, cannot be destroyed, her cause ceaseth not, violence nor time cannot destroy her; and all objections answered to the contrary. Nosce teipsum. Selections Davies, John, Sir, 1569-1626. This text is an enriched version of the TCP digital transcription A37242 of text R207134 in the English Short Title Catalog (Wing D409). Textual changes and metadata enrichments aim at making the text more computationally tractable, easier to read, and suitable for network-based collaborative curation by amateur and professional end users from many walks of life. The text has been tokenized and linguistically annotated with MorphAdorner. The annotation includes standard spellings that support the display of a text in a standardized format that preserves archaic forms ('loveth', 'seekest'). Textual changes aim at restoring the text the author or stationer meant to publish. This text has not been fully proofread Approx. 82 KB of XML-encoded text transcribed from 27 1-bit group-IV TIFF page images. EarlyPrint Project Evanston,IL, Notre Dame, IN, St. Louis, MO 2017 A37242 Wing D409 ESTC R207134 99866205 99866205 118469 This keyboarded and encoded edition of the work described above is co-owned by the institutions providing financial support to the Early English Books Online Text Creation Partnership. This Phase I text is available for reuse, according to the terms of Creative Commons 0 1.0 Universal . The text can be copied, modified, distributed and performed, even for commercial purposes, all without asking permission. Early English books online. (EEBO-TCP ; phase 1, no. A37242) Transcribed from: (Early English Books Online ; image set 118469) Images scanned from microfilm: (Thomason Tracts ; 109:E708[6]) A work for none but angels & men. That is to be able to look into, and to know our selves. Or a book shewing what the soule is, subsisting and having its operations without the body; its more th[e]n a perfection or reflection of the sense, or teperature of humours: how she exercises her powers of vegetative or quickening power of the senses. Of the imaginations or common sense, the phantasie, sensative memory, passions motion of life, local motion, and intellectual powers of the soul. Of the wit, understanding, reason, opinion, judgement, power of will, and the relations betwixt wit & wil. Of the intellectual memory, that the soule is immortall, and cannot dye, cannot be destroyed, her cause ceaseth not, violence nor time cannot destroy her; and all objections answered to the contrary. Nosce teipsum. Selections Davies, John, Sir, 1569-1626. [2], 54 (i.e. 48) p. : ill. Printed by M.S. for Tho: Jenner, at the South-Entrance of the Royall Exchange., London : 1653. In verse. Signatures D1-D3 blank. Originally published in 1599 as "Of the soule of man, and the immortalitie thereof", the main constituent of: Davies, Sir John. Nosce teipsum. Annotation on Thomason copy: "July: 30". Reproduction of the original in the British Library. eng Religious poetry -- Early modern, 1500-1700. Soul -- Early works to 1800. A37242 R207134 (Wing D409). civilwar no A work for none but angels & men. That is to be able to look into, and to know our selves. Or a book shewing what the soule is, subsisting a Davies, John, Sir 1653 13804 14 0 0 0 0 0 10 C The rate of 10 defects per 10,000 words puts this text in the C category of texts with between 10 and 35 defects per 10,000 words. 2000-00 TCP Assigned for keying and markup 2001-08 Apex CoVantage Keyed and coded from ProQuest page images 2001-12 TCP Staff (Michigan) Sampled and proofread 2001-12 TCP Staff (Michigan) Text and markup reviewed and edited 2002-01 pfs Batch review (QC) and XML conversion A WORK For none but ANGELS & MEN . THAT IS , To be able to look into , and to know our selves . OR A BOOK Shewing what the SOULE Is , Subsisting and having its operations without the Body ; it s more then a perfection or reflection of the the Sense , or Temperature of Humours : How she exercises her powersof vegetative or quickning power of the Senses . Of the Imaginations or Common sense , the Phantasie , Sensative Memory , Passions , Motion of Life , the Local Motion , and Intellectual Powers of the soul . Of the Wit , Understanding , Reason , Opinion , Judgement , Power of Will , and the Relations betwixt Wit & Wil. Of the Intellectuall Memory , that the soule is Immortall , and cannot dye , cannot be destroyed , her cause ceaseth not , violence nor time cannot destroy her ; and all Objections Answered to the contrary . O thou my Soule , which turn'st thy curious eye To view the beames of thine owne forme Divine : Know that thou canst know nothing perfectly , Whil'st thou art clouded with this flesh of mine . Such knowledge is too wonderfull for me , it is high , I cannot attaine unto it , Psal. 139. 6. LONDON : Printed by M. S. for Tho : Jenner , at the South-Entrance of the Royall EXCHANGE . 1653. Of the Soule of Man , and the Immortality thereof . THe lights of Heaven ( which are the worlds faire eyes ) Look down into the world , the world to see : And as they run or wander in the skies , Surveigh all things that on this Center be . And yet the lights which in my Towre do shine , Mine Eyes , which all objects both nigh and farre , Look not into this little world of mine , Nor see my face , wherein they fixed are . Since Nature fails us in no needfull thing , Why want I meanes mine in ward self to see ? Which sight the knowledge of my self might bring , Which to true wisedome is the first degree . That Powre which gave me eyes the world to view , To view my selfe infus'd an inward light , Whereby my Soule as by a mirror true , Of her owne forme may take a perfect sight . But as the sharpest eye discerneth nought , Except the Sun-beames in the aire do shine : So the best Sense with her reflecting thought , Seeks not her selfe without some light Divine . O Light which mak'st the Light , which makes the Day , Which set'st the Eye without , and Mind within , Lighten my spirit with one clear heavenly ray , Which now to view it self doth first begin . For her true forme how can my Spark discerne ? Which dim by Nature , Art did never clear ; When the great Wits , of whom all skill we learne , Are ignorant both what she is , and where ? One thinks the Soule is Aire , another Fire , Another Blood diffus'd about the heart ; Another s●●th , the Elements conspire , And to her Essence each doth give a part . Musi●ians think our Souls are Harmonies ; Physitians hold that they Complexions be ; Epicures make them swarmes of Atomies , Which doe by chance into our Bodies flee . Some think one generall Soule fils every braine , As the bright Sun sheds light in every Starre : And others think the name of Soule is vaine , And that we onely well-mixt bodies are . In judgement of her substance thus they vary ; And thus they varie in judgement of her seat : For some her Chaire up to the brain do carry , Some thrust it downe into the stomachs heat . Some place it in the Root of life , the Heart , Some in the Liver , fountaine of the Veines ; Some say , she is all in all , and all in part : Some say , she 's not contain'd , but all contains . Thus these great Clerks their little wisedome show , While with their Doctrines they at Hazard play , Tossing their light opinions to and fro , To mock the Lewd , as learn'd in this as they . For no craz'd braine could ever yet propound , Touching the Soule so vaine and fond a thought , But some among these Masters have been found , Which in their Schools the self-same thing have taut . God onely Wise , to punish pride of Wit , Among mens Wits hath this confusion wrought , As the proud Towre whose points the Clouds did hit , By Tongues Confusion was to ruine brought . VNDERSTANDING . I once was AEgle ey'ed full of all light . Am owle eyd now as dim as derke●s night As through a glasse or Cloud I all thinges vew . Shall on day see them in there proper hue But ( thou ) which did'st Mans Soule of nothing make , And when to nothing it was fallen agen , To make it new , the Forme of Man did'st take , And God with God becam'st a Man with Men . Thou , that hast fashion'd twice this Soule of ours , So that she is by double title thine , Thou onely knowest her nature and her powers , Her subcile form thou onely canst define . To judge her selfe she must her selfe transcend , As greater Circles comprehend the lesse , But she wants pow'r her own pow'r to extend , As fettred men cannot their strength expresse . But thou bright morning Starre , thou rising Sun , Which in these later times hast brought to light Those Mysteries , that since the world begun , Lay hid in darknesse , and in eternal night . Thou ( like the Sun ) dost with indifferent ray , Into the Pallace and the Cottage shine , And shew'st the Soule , both to the Clerk and Lay , By the clear Lamp of thy Oracle Divine . This Lamp through all the Regions of my braine , Where my Soul sits , doth spread her beams of grace , As now , me thinks , I do distinguish plaine , Each subtil line of her immortal face . The Soule a Substance and a Spirit is , Which God himselfe doth in the Body make , Which makes the man , for every man from this , The Nature of a Man , and name doth take . And though the Spirit be to the Body knit , As an apt meane her powers to exercise , Which are Life , Motion , Sense , and Will and Wit , Yet she survives , although the Body dies . She is a substance , and a real thing , Which hath it selfe an actuall working might , Which neither from the Senses power doth spring , Nor from the Bodies humours tempered right . She is a Vine , which doth no propping need , To make her spread her selfe , or spring upright ; She is a Starre whose beams do not proceed From any Sun , but from a Native light . For when she sorts things present with things past , And thereby things to come doth oft foresee ; When she doth doubt at first , and choose at last , These acts her owne without the Body be . When of the dew which th'Eye and Eare doth take From flowers abroad , and bring into the braine , She doth within both wax and honey make ; This work is hers , this is her proper paine . When she from sundry Acts one skill doth draw , Gath'ring from diverse Fights one act of Warre , From many Cases like , one Rule of Law ; These her Collections , not the Senses are . When in th'effects she doth the Causes know , And seeing the stream , thinks where the spring doth rise , And seeing the branch , conceiv'th the root below ; These things she viewes without the Bodies eyes . When she without a Pegasus doth flie , Swifter then lightnings fire to East to West , About the Center and about the skie , She travels then , although the Body rest . When all her works she formeth first within , Proportions them , and sees their perfect end , Ere she in act doth any part begin : What instruments doth then the Body lend ? When without hands she thus doth Castles build , Sees without eyes , and without feet doth run , When she digests the World , yet is not fild , By her owne power these miracles are done . When she defines , argues , divides , compounds , Considers vertue , vice , and generall things , And marrying divers principles and grounds , Out of their match a true Conclusion brings . These Actions in her Closet all alone , ( Retir'd within her selfe ) she doth fulfil ; Use of her Bodies Organs she hath none , When she doth use the powers of Wit and Will . Yet in the Bodies prison so she lyes , As through the Bodies windowes she must look , Her diverse powers of Sense to exercise , By gathering Notes out of the Worlds great Book . Nor can her selfe discourse , or judge of ought , But what the sense Collects , and home doth bring ; And yet the power of her discoursing thought , From these Collections , is a diverse thing . For though our eyes can nought but Colours see , Yet Colours give them not their power of sight : So , though these fruits of Sense her objects be , Yet she discernes them by her proper light . The work-man on his stuffe his skill doth show , And yet the stuffe gives not the man his skil ; States their affairs do by their servants know , But order them by their owne royal wil . So though this cunning Mistresse and this Queen , Doth as her instruments the Senses use , To know all things that are felt , heard , or seen , Yet she her selfe doth onely judge and choose . Right so the Soule , which is a Lady free , And doth the justice of her State maintaine , Because the Senses ready servants be , Attending nigh about her Court , the braine . By them the formes of outward things she learnes , ( For they returne into the fantasie ) Whatever each of them abroad discernes , And there enrol it for the mind to see . But when she fits to judge the good and ill , And to discerne betwixt the false and true , She is not guided by the Senses skill , But doth each thing in her owne Mirror view . Then she the Senses checks , which oft do erre , And even against their false reports decrees : And oft she doth condemne what they prefer , For with a powre above the Sense , she sees : Therefore no Sense the precious joyes conceives , Which in her private Contemplations be ; For then the ravisht spirit the Senses leaves , Hath her owne powers , and proper actions free . Her harmonies are sweet , and full of skill , When on the bodies instrument she playes : But the proportions of the wit and will , Those sweet accords , are even the Angels layes . Doubtlesse in man there is a nature found , Beside the Senses , and above them farre ; " Though most men being in sensual pleasures drownd , " It seems their souls but in the Senses are . If we had nought but Sense , then onely they Should have found minds , which have their Senses sound ; But wisdome growes , when Senses do decay , And folly most in quickest Sense is found . If we had nought but Sense , each living wight , Which we call brute , would be more sharp then we ; As having Senses apprehensive might , In a more clear , and excellent degree . But they do want that quick discoursing power , Which doth in us the erring Sense correct ; Therefore the Bee did suck the painted flower , And birds of Grapes the cunning shadow peckt . Sense outside knows , the Soule through all things feet , Sense Circumstance , she doth the substance view ; Sense sees the bark , but she the life of Trees ; Sense hears the sounds , but she the Concords true . But why doe I the Soule and Sense divide ? When Sense is but a powre , which she extends , Which being in diverse parts diversified , The diverse formes of objects apprehends ? This powre spreads outward , but the root doth grow In th'inward Soule , which onely doth perceive ; For th'eyes and ears no more their objects know , Then glasses know what faces they receive . For if we chance to fix our thoughts elsewhere , Although our eyes be ope , we do not see , And if one power did not both see and heare , Our fights and sounds would alwayes double be . Then is the Soule a nature , which containes , The powre of Sense , within a greater powre ; Which doth employ , and use the Senses paines , But sits and rules within her private bowre . If she doth then the subtill Sense excel , How grosse are they that drowne her in the blood ? Or in the bodies humours tempred well , As if in them such high perfection stood ? As if most skil in that Mositian were , Which had the best , and best ruin'd instrument ; As if the Pensil neat , and Colours cleare , Had powre to make the Painter excellent . Why doth not Beauty then refine the wit ? And good Complection rectifie the will ? Why doth not Health bring wisdome still with it ? Why doth not Sicknesse make men brutish still ? Who can in Memory , or Wit , or Will , Or aire , or fire , or earth , or water find ; What Alchymist can d●aw with all his skil , The Quintessence of these out of the mind ? If th'Elements which have nor life , nor sense , Can breed in us so great a powre as this , Why give they not themselves like excellence , Or other things wherein their mixture is ? If she were but the Bodies quality , Then would she be , with it sick , maim'd , and blind ; But we perceive , where these privations be , A healthy perfect , and sharp-sighted mind . If she were but the bodies accident , And her sole being did in it subsist , As white in snow , she might her selfe absent , And in the bodies substance not be mist . But it on her , not she on it depends ; For ●ne the body doth sustaine and cherish , Such secret powers of life to it she lends , That when they faile , then doth the body perish . Since then the Soule works by her selfe alone , Springs not from sense , nor humours well agreeing , Her nature is peculiar , and her owne , She is a substance , and a perfect being . But though this substance be the root of Sense , Sense knowes her not , which doth but bodies know , She is a spirit , and heavenly influence , Which from the fountaine of Gods spirit doth flow . She is a spirit , yet not like aire or wind , Nor like the spirits about the heart or braine , Nor like those spirits which Alchymists do find , When they in every thing seek gold in vaine . For she all natures under heaven doth passe , Being like those spirits , which Gods bright face doe see , Or like himselfe , whose image once she was , Though now ( alas ) she scarce his shadow be . Yet of the formes she holds the first degree , That are to grosse materiall bodies knit ; Yet she her selfe is bodilesse and free , And though confin'd , is almost infinit . Were she a body , how could she remaine Within this Body , which is lesse then she ? Or how could she the worlds great shape containe , And in our narrow breasts contained be ? All Bodies are confin'd within some place ; But she all place within her selfe confines ; All Bodies have their measure and their space , But who can draw the Soules dimensive lines ? No Body can at once two formes admit , Except the one the other do deface ; But in the Soule ten thousand formes do sit , And none intrudes into her neighbours place . All Bodies are with other Bodies fild ; But she receives both heaven and earth together , Nor are their formes by rash incounter spild , For there they stand , and neither toncheth either . MEMORIE . A com̄on June all com̄ers to reteyne . A Siue where good run̄e out & bad remayne . A Burrow with a thousand vermine hydes . A Den where nothinge that is good abides Nor can her wide Embracements filled bee ; For they'that most , and greatest things embrace , Enlarge thereby their minds Capacitie , As streames enlarg'd , enlarge the Channels space . All things receiv'd do such proportion take , As those things have wherein they are receiv'd : So little glasses little faces make , And narrow webs on narrow frames be weav'd ; Then what vast Body must we make the mind ? Wherein are men , beasts , trees , towns , seas , and lands , And yet each thing a proper place doth find , And each thing in the true proportion stands ? Doubtlesse this could not be , but that she turnes Bodies to spirits by sublimation strange ; As fire converts to fire the things it burnes , As we our meats into our nature change . From their grosse matter she abstracts the formes , And drawes a kind of Quintessence from things , Which to her proper nature she transformes , To beare them light on her celestiall wings . This doth she when , from things particular , She doth abstract the universall kinds , Which bodilesse , and immateriall are , And can be lodg'd but onely in our minds . And thus from diverse accidents and acts , Which doe within her observation fall , She goddestes , and powers divine abstracts , As nature , fortune , and the vertues all . Againe , how can she severall Bodies know , If in her selfe a Bodies forme she bear ? How can a Mirror sundry faces show , If from all shapes and formes it be not clear ? Nor could we by our eyes all colours learn , Except our eyes were of all colours voyd ; Nor sundry tasts can any tongue discerne , Which is with grosse , and bitter humours cloyd . Nor may a man of passions judge aright , Except his mind be from all passions free ; Nor can a Judge his office well acquite , If he possest of either party be . If lastly this quick powre a Body were , Were it as swift as is the wind , or fire , ( Whose Atomies do th'one downe sidewayes beare , And make the other in Pyramids aspire . Her nimble Body yet in time must move , And not in instants through all places slide ; But she is nigh , and far , beneath , above , In point of time , which thought can not divide . She 's sent as soon to China , as to Spaine , And thence returnes , as soon as she is sent ; She measures with one time , and with one paine , An ell of Silk , and heavens wide-spreading Tent . As then the Soule a substance hath alone , Besides the Body , in which she is confin'd : So hath she not a Body of her owne , But is a spirit , and immateriall mind . Since Body and Soule have such diversities , Well might we muse , how first their match began ; But that we learn , that he that spread the skies , And fixt the earth , first form'd the Soule in man . 'T is true Prometheus first made man of earth , And shed in him a beam of heavenly fire ; Now in their mothers wombs before their birth , Doth in all sons of men their Souls inspire . And as Minerva is in Fables said , From Jove without a mother to proceed , So our true Jove without a mothers aid , Doth daily millions of Minerva's breed . Then neither from eternity before , Nor from the time , when times first point begun , Made he all Souls , which now he keeps in store , Some in the Moon , and others in the Sun . Nor in a secret Cloister doth he keep These virgin spirits , untill their marriage-day , Nor locks them up in Chambers where they sleep , Till they awake , within these beds of Clay . Nor did he first a certaine number make , Infusing part in beasts , and part in men , And as unwilling farther paines to take , Would make no more , then those he framed then . So that the widow Soule , her Body dying , Unto the next born Body married was , And so by often changing and supplying , Mens souls to beasts , and beasts to men did passe . These thoughts are fond : for since the Bodies borne Be more in number far , then those that die , Thousands must be abortive , and forlorne , Ere others deaths to them their souls supply . ) But as Gods handmaid nature doth create Bodies , in time distinct , and order due : So God gives soules the like successive date , Which himselfe makes , in bodies formed new . Which himselfe makes , of no materiall thing , For unto Angels he no power hath given , Either to forme the shape , or stuffe to bring , From aire , or fire , or substance of the Heaven . Nor he in this doth Natures service use , For though from Bodies she can Bodies bring , Yet could she never Soules from Soules traduce , As fire from fire , or light from light doth spring . But many subtill wits have justifi'd , That Souls from Souls spiritually may spring , Which ( if the nature of the Soul be try'd ) Will even in nature prove as grosse a thing . For all things made , are either made of nought , Or made of stuffe that ready made doth stand ; Of nought no creature ever formed ought , For that is proper to th'Almighties hand . If then the Soule another Soule do make , Because her power is kept within a bound , She must some former stufle or matter take , But in the Soule there is no matter found . Then if her heavenly Forme do not agree With any matter , which the world containes , Then she of nothing must created be , And to create , to God alone pertaines . Againe , if Soules doe other Soules beget , 'T is by themselves , or by the Bodies power , If by themselves , what doth their working let , But they might Soules engender every houre ? If by the Body , how can wit and will Joyne with the Body onely in this act ? Since when they do their other works fulfil , They from the Body do themselves abstract ? Againe , if Soules of Soules begotten were , Into each other they should change and move ; And change and motion still corruption beare ; How shall we then the Soule immortall prove ? If lastly Soules did generation use . Then should they spread incorruptible seed ; What then becomes of that which they doe loose When th'acts of generation doe not speed ? And though the Soule could cast spirituall seed ; Yet would she not , because she never dies ; For mortall things desire their like to breed , That so they may their kind immortalize . Therefore the Angels , sons of God are nam'd , And marry not , nor are in marriage given , Their spirits and ours are of one substance fram'd , And have one Father even the Lord of Heaven . Who would at first , that in each other thing , The earth , and water living Soules should breed ; But that Mans Soule , whom he would make their king , Should from himselfe immediatly proceed . And when he took the woman from mans side , Doubtlesse himselfe in spir'd her Soule alone ; For 't is not sayd , he did mans Soul divide , But took flesh of his flesh , bone of his bone . Lastly , God , being made Man for Mans owne sake , And being like Man in all , except in sin , His Body from the Virgins womb did take , But all agree , God from'd his Soule within , Then is the Soule from God ; so Pagans say , Which saw by natures light , her heavenly kind , Naming her kin to God , and Gods bright ray , A Citizen of heaven , to earth consin'd . And then the Soule , being first from nothing brought , When Gods grace failes her , doth to nothing fall , And this declining Pronesse unto nought , Is even that sin that we are born withall , Yet not alone the first good qualities , Which in the first Soule were , deprived are , But in their place the contrary do rise , And reall spots of sin her beauty marre . Nor is it strange , that Adams ill desert , Should be transfer'd unto his guilty race , When Christ his grace and justice doth impart To men unjust , and such as have no grace . Lastly , the Soule were better so to be Borne slave to sin , then not to be at all , Since ( if she do beleeve ) one sets her free , That makes her mount the higher from her fall . Yet this the curious wits will not content , They yet will know ( since God foresaw this ill ) Why his high providence did not prevent The declination of the first mans will . If by his word he had the current stayd , Of Adams will , which was by nature free , It had been one , as if his word had sayd , I will henceforth that man no man shall be . For what is man without a moving mind , Which hath a judging wit , and choosing will ? Now , if Gods power should her election bind , Her motions then would cease , and stand all still . And why did God in man this Soule infuse , But that he should his maker know and love ? Now if love be compel'd , and cannot chuse , How can it gratefull , or thank-worthy prove ? Love must free-hearted be , and voluntary , And not enchaunted , or by fate constrained ; Not like that love which did Ulysses carry To Circes Isle , with mighty charmes enchained , Besides , were we unchangeable in will , And of a wit that nothing doth misdeem , Equall to God , whose wisedome shineth still , And never erres , we might our selves esteem . So that if man would be unvariable , He must be God , or like a Rock , or Tree ; For even the perfect Angels were not stable , But had a fall , more desperate then we . Then let us praise that Power , which makes us be Men as we are , and rest contented so ; And knowing mans fall was curiositie Admire Gods counsels , which we cannot know . And let us know that God the marker is , Of all the Soules , in all the men that be , Yet their Corruption is no fault of his , But the first Mans , that broke Gods first decree . This substance and this spirit ofGods owne making , Is in the Body plac't , and planted here , That both of God , and of the world partaking , Of all that is , man might the image beare . God first made Angels bodilesse pure minds , Then other things , which mindlesse Bodies be ; Last he made man th'Horizon ' twixtboth kinds , In whom we do the worlds abridgement see . Besides , this world below did need one wight , Which might thereof distinguish every part , Make use thertof , and take therein delight , And order things with industry , and Art . Which also God might in his works admire , And here beneath , yield him both prayer and praise , As there , above , the holy Angels Quire Doth spread his glory , with spirituall layes . When Hearing , Seeing , Tasting , Smelling's past : Feeling ( as long as life remaines ) doth last . Mayde reach my Lute , I am not well indeede : O pitty-mee , my Bird hath made mee bleede . Lastly , the bruite unreasonable wights , Did want a visible King on them to raigne ; And God himselfe thus to the world unites , That so the world might endlesse blisse obtaine . But how shall we this union well expresse ? Nought ties the Soule , her subtilty is such ; She moves the Body , which she doth possesse , Yet no part toucheth but by vertues touch . Then dwels she not therein as in a tent , Nor as a Pilot in his ship doth sit ; Nor as a Spider in her web is pent , Nor as the wax retains the print in it . Nor as a vessel water doth containe , Nor as one liquor in another shed ; Nor as the heat doth in the fire remaine , Nor as a voyce throughout the aire is spread . But as a faire , and cheerfull morning light , Doth here and there her silver beames impart , And in an instant doth her selfe unite To the transparent Aire , in all and part . Still resting whole , when blowes the Aire divide ; Abiding pure , when th'Aire is most corrupted , Throughout the Aire her beams dispersing wide , And , when the aire is tost , not interrupted . So doth the piercing Soule the Body fill , Being all in all , and all in part diffus'd Indivisible , uncorrnptible still , Not forc't , encountred , troubled , or confus'd . And as the Sun above , the light doth bring , Though we behold it in the aire below : So from th'eternall light the Soule doth spring , Though in the Body she her powres do show . But as the worlds Sun doth effects beget , Diverse , in diverse places every day , Here Autumnes temperature , there Summers heat , Here flowry Spring-tide , and there Winter-gray . Here even , there morn , here noon , there day , there night , Melts wax , dries clay , makes flours , some quick , some dead , Makes the More black , & th'Ethiopian white Th'American tawny , and th'East Indian red ; So in our little world this Soule of ours , Being onely one , and to one Body tyed , Doth use on diverse objects diverse powers , And so are her effects diversified . Her quickning power in every living part , Doth as a Nurse , or as a Mother serve , And doth employ her oeconomick Art , And busie care , her houshold to preserve . Here she attracts , and there she doth retaine , There she decocts , and doth the food prepare , There she distributes it to every vaine , There she expels what she may fitly spare . This power to Martha may compared be , Which busie was , the houshold things to do ; Or to a Dryas living in a Tree , For even to Trees this power is proper too . And though the Soule may not this power extend Out of the Body , but still use it there , She hath a power , which she abroad doth send , Which viewes and searcheth all things every where . This power is Sense , which from abroad doth bring The colour , tast , and touch , and sent , and found , The quantity , and shape of every thing , Within th'earths Center , or heavens Circle found . This power in parts made fit , fit objects takes , Yet not the things , but formes of things receives ; As when a Seale in Wax impression makes , The print therein , but not it selfe , it leaves . And though things sensible be numberlesse , But onely five the Senses Organs be ; And in those five All things their formes expresse , Which we can Touch , Tast , Feele , or Hear , or See . These are the windows through the which she viewes The light of knowledge which is lifes load-starre ; " And yet while she these spectacles doth use , Oft worldly things seen greater then they are . First the two Eyes , which have the Seeing power , Stand as one Watchman , Spie , or Sentinell , Being plac'd alost within the Heads high Tower ; And though both see , yet both but one thing tell . These Mirrors take into their little space The formes of Moon and Sun , and every Star , Of every body , and of every place , Which with the worlds wide Armes embraced are Yet their best object , and their noblest use , Hereafter in another world will be , When God in them shall heavenly light insuse , That face to face they may their Maker see . Here are they guides , which do the body lead , Which else would stumble in eternall night ; Here in this world they do much knowledge read , And are the Casements which admit most light . They are her farthest reaching instrument , Yet they no beams unto their objects send , But all the rayes are from their objects sent , And in the Eyes with pointed Angels end . Where Phantasie , neare handmaid to the mind , Sits , and beholds , and doth discern them all , Compounds in one , things diverse in their kind , Compares the black and white , the great and small . Besides those single formes , she doth esteem , And in her ballance doth their values try , Where some things good , and some things ill do seem , And neutrall some in her phantastick eye . This busie power is working day and night ; For when the outward Senses rest do take , A thousand Dreames phantasticall and light , With fluttering wings do keep her still awake . Yet alwayes all may not afore her be , Successively she this , and that intends ; Therefore such formes as she doth cease to see , To Memories large volume she commends . This Lidger Book lyes in the braine behind , Like Janus eye , which in his pole was set ; The Lay-mans Tables , Storehouse of the mind , Which doth remember much , and much forget . Here Senses Apprehension end doth take , As when a stone is into water cast , One Circle doth another Circle make , Till the last Circle touch the bank at last . But though the apprehensive power do pawse , The Motive vertue then begins to move , Which in the heart below doth passions cause , Joy , griefe , and feare , and hope , and hate , and love . These passions have a free commanding might , And diverse Actions in our life do breed ; For all acts done without true reasons light , Do from the passion of the Sense proceed . But sith the Braine doth lodge these powers of Sense , How makes it in the heart those passions spring ? The mutuall love , the kind intelligence 'Twixt heart and braine , this sympathy doth bring . From the kind heat , which in the heart doth raigne , The spirits of life doe their begining take ; These spirits of life ascending to the braine , When they come there , the Spirits of Sense do make , These spirits of Sense in Phantasies high Court , Judge of the formes of Objects ill or well ; And so they send a good or ill report , Down to the heart , where all Affections dwell . If the report be good , it causeth love , And longing hope , and well assured joy : If it be ill , then doth it hatred move , And trembling fear , and vexing grieff , annoy . Yet were these naturall affections good ; ( For they which want them blocks or divels be ) If reason in her first perfection stood , That she might Natures passions rectifie . Besides , another Motive power doth rise Out of the heart : from whose pure blood do spring The vitall Spirits , which borne in Arteries , Continuall motion to all parts doe bring . This makes the pulses beat , and lungs respire , This holds the sinews like a bridles Raines , And makes the body to advance , retire , To turne , or stop , as she them slacks , or straincs . Thus the Soule tunes the Bodies instrument ; These harmonies she makes with life and sense , The Organs fit are by the Body lent , But th' actions flow from the Soules influence But now I have a Will , yet want a Wit , To expresse the working of the Wit and Will , Which though their root be to the body knit , Use not the body when they use their skill . These powers the nature of the Soule declare , For to mans Soule these onely proper be ; For on the earth no other wights there are , Which have these heavenly powers , but only we . The wit , the pupil of the Soules clear eye , And in mans world the onely shining Starre ; Looks in the mirrour of the Phantasie , Where all the gatherings of the Senses are . From thence this power the shapes of things abstracts , And them within her passive part receives ; Which are enlightned by that part which acts , And so the formes of single things perceives . But after by discoursing to and fro , Anticipating , and comparing things ; She doth all universall natures know , And all effects into their causes brings . When she rates things , & moves from ground to ground The name of Reason she obtains by this : But when by Reasons she the truth hath found , And standeth sixt , she Understanding is . When her assent she lightly doth enclins To either part , she is opinion light : But when she doth by principles define A Certaine truth , she hath true Judgements sight . And as from Senses Reasons work doth spring , So many Reasons understanding gaine , And many understandings knowledge oring , And by much knowledge , wisdome we obtain . So many staires we must ascend upright , Ere we attain to wisdomes high degree ; So coth this earth eclipse our reasons light , Which else ( in instants ) would like Angels see . Yet hath the Soule a dowry naturall , And sparks of light some common things to see ; Not being a blank , where nought is writ at all , But what the writer will may written be . For nature in mens heart her lawes doth pen , Prescribing truth to wit , and good to will ; Which do accuse , or else excuse all men , For every thought , or practise , good , or ill . And yet these sparks grow almost infinite , Making the world , and all therein their food ; As fire so spreads as no place holdeth it , Being nourisht still , with new supplies of wood . And though these sparks were almost quencht with sin , Yet they whom that just one hath justified , Have them encreasd , with heavenly light within , And like the widowes oyle still multiplide . And as this wit should goodnesse truly know , We have a wit which that true good should chuse : Though will do oft ( when wit false forms doth show ) Take ill for good , and good for ill refuse . Will puts in practice what the wit deviseth ; Will ever acts , and wit contemplates still , And as from wit the power of wisdome riseth , All other vertues daughters are of will . Will is the Prince , and wit the Counsellour , Which doth for common good in Councel fit , And when wit is resolv'd , will lends her power , To execute what is advisd by wit . WILL . Free to all ill . till freed to none but ill , Now this I will anon the same I ●ill Appetite ere while , ere while Reason may , Nere good but when Gods Sperit beares ●●●ay Wit is the minds chief Judge , which doth Comptroul Of fancies Court the judgements false and vaine ; Will holds the Royall Scepter in the Soule , And on the passions of the heart doth raigne . Will is as Free as any Emperour ; Nought can restraine her gentle liberty , No Tyrant , nor no Torment hath the power , To make us will , when we unwilling be . To these high powers a Store-house doth pertaine , Where they all Arts and generall Reasons lay , Which in the Soule , even after death remaine , And no Lethoean flood can wash away . This is the Soule , and those her Vertues be , Which though they have their sundry proper ends , And one exceeds another in degree , Yet each on other mutually depends . Our Wit is given , Almighty God to know , Our Will is given to love him being knowne ; But God could not be known to us below , But by his works , which through the sense are shown . And as the Wit doth reap the fruits of Sense , So doth the quickning power the Senses feed ; Thus while they do their sundry gifts dispence , The best the service of the least doth need . Even so the King his Magistrates do serve ; Yet Commons feed both Magistrate and King ; The Commons peace the Magistrates preserve , By borrowed power , which from the Pr. doth spring . The quickning power would be , and so would rest , The Sense would not be onely , but be well ; But Wits ambition longeth to be best , For it desires in endlesse blisse to dwell . And these three powers three sorts of men do make ; For some like plants their veins do only fill ; And some like beasts , their senses pleasure take ; And some like Angels do contemplate still . Therefore the Fables turn'd some men to Flowers , And others did with brutish formes invest , And did of others make celestiall powers , Like Angels , which still travell , yet still rest . Yet these three powres are not three Soules , but one ; As one and two are both contain'd in three , Three being one number by it selfe alone ; A shadow of the blessed Trinitie . O what is man ( greater maker of mankind ) That thou to him so great respect dost bear ? That thou adornst him with so bright a mind , Mak'st him a King , and even an Angels peer ? O what a lively life , what heavenly power , What spreading vertue , what a sparkling fire , How great , how plentifull , how rich a dowre , Do'st thou within this dying flesh inspire ! Thou leav'st thy print in other works of thine , But thy whole image thou in man hast writ ; There cannot be a creature more divine , Except ( like thee ) it should be infinit . But it exceeds mans thought , to think how high God hath raisd man , since God a man became ; The Angels do admire this mystery , And are astonisht when they view the same . Nor hath he given these blessings for a day , Nor made them on the bodies life depend ; The Soule , though made in time , survives for aye , And though it hath beginning , sees no end . Her onely end , is never ending blisse ; Which is , th'eternall face of God to see ; Who last of ends , and first of causes is , And to do this , she must eternall be . How senslesse then and dead a Soule hath he , Which thinks his Soule doth with his body dye ? Or thinks not so , but so would have it be , That he might sin with more security ? For though these light and vicious persons say , Our Soule is but a smoak , or airy blast , Which during life doth in our nostrils play , And when we die , doth turn to wind at last . Although they say , come , let us eat and drink , Our life is but a spark , which quickly dyes ; Though thus they say , they know not what to think But in their minds ten thousand doubts arise . Therefore no hereticks desire to spread Their light opinions , like these Epicures ; For so their staggering thoughts are comforted , And other mens assent their doubt assures . Yet though these men against their conscience strive , There are some sparkles in their flinty breasts , Which cannot be extinct , but still revive , That though they would , they cannot quite be beasts . But who so makes a mirror of his mind , And doth with patience view himselfe therein , His Soules eternity shall clearly find , Though th'other beauties be defac't with sin . First in mans mind we find an appetite To learne and know the truth of every thing , Which is connaturall , and borne with it , And from the Essence of the Soule doth spring . With this desire she hath a native might To find out every truth , if she had time Th'innumerable effects to sort aright , And by degrees from cause to cause to clime . But since our life so fast away doth slide , As doth a hungry Eagle through the wind , Or as a Ship transported with the tide , Which in their passage leave no print behind . Of which swift little time so much we spend , While some few things we through the sense do strain . That our short race of life is at an end , Ere we the principles of skil attain . Or God ( which to vain ends hath nothing done ) In vain this appetite and power hath given , Or else our knowledge which is here begun , Hereafter must be perfected in heaven . God never gave a power to one whole kind , But most part of that kind did use the same ; Most eyes have perfect sight , though some be blind ; Most legs can nimbly run , though some be lame . But in this life no Soule the truth can know So perfectly , as it hath power to do ; If then perfection be not found below , An higher place must make her mount thereto . Againe , how can she but immortall be ? When with the motions of both will and wit , She still aspireth to eternity , And never rests , till she attain to it ? Water in Conduit pipes can rise no higher Then the wel-head from whence it first doth spring , Then since to eternall God she doth aspire , She cannot be but an eternall thing . " All moving things to other things do move " Of the same kind , which shewes their nature such ; So earth fals down , and fire doth mount above , Till both their proper Elements do touch . And as the moysture which the thirsty earth , Sucks from the sea , to fill her empty veins , From out her womb at last doth take a birth , And runs a Nymph along the grassie plaines . Long doth she stay , as loath to leave the land , From whose soft side she first did issue make ; She tasts all places , turnes to every hand , Her flowry banks unwilling to forsake . Yet nature so her streams doth lead and carry , As that her course doth make no finall stay , Till she her selfe unto the Ocean marry , Within whose watry bosome first she lay . Even so the Soule , which in this earthly mould The Spirit of God doth secretly infuse ; Because at first she doth the earth benold , And onely this materiall world she viewes . At first our mother earth she holdeth dear , And doth embrace the world and worldly things ; She flies close by the ground , and hovers here , And mounts not up , with her celestiall wings . Yet under heaven she cannot light on ought , That with her heavenly nature doth agree ; She cannot rest , she cannot fix her thought , She cannot in this world contented be . For who did ever yet in honour , wealth , Or pleasure of the Sense contentment find ? Who ●ver●ea●●d to wish , when he had health , Or having wisdome , was not vext in mind ? Then as a Bee which ammong weeds doth fall Which seem sweet flowers , with lustre fresh and gay , She lights on that , and this , and tasteth all , But pleasd with none , doth rise , and sore away . So when the Soule finds here no true content , And like Noahs Dove can no sure sooting take , She doth returne from whence she first was sent , And flyes to him that first her wings did make . Wit seeking truth from cause to cause ascends , And never rests , till it the first attaine ; Will , seeking good , finds many middle ends , But never stayes , till it the last do gaine . Now God the Truth and first of Causes is , God is the last good end , which lasteth still , Being Alpha and Omega nam'd for this , Alpha to Wit , Omega to the will . Sith then her heavenly kind she doth bewray , In that to God she doth directly move , And on no mortail thing can make her stay , She cannot be from hence , but from aboue . And yet this first true cause , and last good end , She cannot hear so well , and truely see ; For this perfection she must yet attend , Till to her maker she espoused be . As a Kings daughter being in person sought Of diverse Princes , which do neighbour near , On none of them can fix a constant thought , Though she to all do lend a gentle ear . Yet can she love a Forraigne Emperour , Whom of great worth and power she hears to be , If she be woo'd but by Embassadour , Or but his Letters , or his picture see . For well she knowes , that when she shall be brought Into the Kingdome , where her Spouse doth raigne . Her eyes shall see , what she conceiv'd in thought , Himself , his state , his glory , and his traine . So while the Virgin Soule on earth doth stay , She woo'd and tempted is ten thousand wayes . By these great powers , which on the earth bear sway , The wisedome of the world , wealth , pleasure , praise . With these sometime she doth her time beguile , These do by fits her phantasie possesse ; But she distaits them all within a while , And in the sweetest finds a tediousnesse . But if upon the worlds Almighty King , She once do fix her humble loving thought , Which by his picture drawne in every thing , And sacred messages her love hath sought . Of him she thinks she cannot think too much , This honey tasted still , is ever sweet , The pleasure of her ravisht thought is such , At almost here , she with her blisse doth meet . But when in Heaven she shall his Essence see , This is her soveraigne good , and perfect blisse , Her longings , wishings , hopes , all finisht be , Her joyes are full , her motions rest in this . There is she Crown'd with Garlands of Content , There doth she Manna eat , and Nectar drink ; That presence doth such high delights present , As never tongue could speak , nor heart could think , For this the better Soules do oft despise The Bodies d●ath and do it oft desire : For when on ground the burthened ballance lyes , The empty part is listed up the higher . FANCIE . Apelike I all thinges imitate . New proiects fashions I inuent . Dreame-like I them vary-straite . All Shapes to head & harte present . But if the Bodies death the Soule should kill , Then death must needs Against her nature be ; And were it so , all Soules would flye it still , For Nature hates and shuns her contrary . For all things else , which Nature makes to be , Their being to preserve are chiefly taught ; For though some things desire a change to see , Yet never thing did long to turn to nought . If then by death the Soule were quenched quite , She could not thus against her nature run ; Since every senslesse thing by Natures light , Doth preservation seek , destruction shun . Nor could the worlds best spirits so much erre , If death took all , that they should all agree , Before this life their honour to prefer ; For what is praise to things that nothing be ? Againe , if by the Bodies prop she stand , If on the Bodies life , her life depend , As Meleagers on the fatall brand , The Bodies good she onely would intend . We should not find her halfe so brave and bold , To lead it to the wars , and to the Seas ; To make it suffer watchings , hunger , cold , When it might feed with plenty , rest with ease , Doubtlesse all Soules have a surviving thought , Therefore of death we think with quiet mind , But if we think of being turn'd to nought , A trembling horror in our Soules we find , And as the better spirit , when she doth bear A scorne of death , doth shew she cannot dye : So when the wicked Soule deaths face doth fear , Even then she proves her owne Eternity . For when deaths from appears , she feareth not An utter quenching , or extinguishment ; She would be glad to meet with such a lot , That so she might all future ill prevent . But she doth doubt what after may befall ; For natures law accuseth her within , And saith , 't is true that is affirm'd by all , That after death there is a pain for sin , Then she which hath been hoodwinckt from her birth Doth first her selfe within Deaths mirror see ; And when her Body doth returne to earth , She first takes care , how she alone shall be . Whoever sees these irreligious men , With burthen of a sicknesse weak and faint ; But hears them talking of Religion then , And vowing of their Soules to every Saint ? When was there ever cursed Atheist brought Unto the Gibbet , but he did adore , That blessed power , which he had set at nought , Scorn'd and blasphemed , all his life before ? These light vaine persons still are drunk and mad , With surfetings , and pleasures of their youth ; But at their deaths they are fresh , sober , sad , Then they discerne , and then they speak the truth . If then all Soules both good and bad do teach , With generall voyce that Soules can never dye ; T is not mans flattering glose , but Natures speech , Which like Gods Oracle , can never lye . Hence springs that universall strong desire , Which all men have of Immortality ; Not some few spirits unto this thought aspire , But all mens minds in this united be . Then this desire of Nature is not vaine , " She covets not impossibilities ; " Fond thoughts may fall into some idle braine , " But one Assent of all , is ever wise . From hence that generall care and study springs , That lanching and progression of the mind , Which all men have so much of future things , As they no joy do in the present find . From this desire , that maine desire proceeds , Which all men have , surviving fame to gaine , By Tombes , by Books , by memorable Deeds , For she that this desires , doth still remaine . Hence lastly springs Care of Posterities , For things their kind would everlasting make ; Hence is it , that old men do plant young Trees , The fruit whereof another age shall take . If we these Rules unto our selves apply , And view them by reflection of the mind ; All these true notes of immortality , In our Hearts Tables we shall written find . And though some impious wits do questions move , And doubt if Soules immortall be or no ; That doubt their immortality doth prove , Because they seem immortal things to know . For he which Reasons on both parts doth bring , Doth some things mortall , some immortall call ; Now if himselfe were but a mortall thing , He could not judge immortall things at all . For when we judge , our minds we mirrours make ; And as those glasses which material be , Formes of materiall things do onely take ; For thoughts or minds in them we cannot see . So when we God and Angles do conceive , And think of truth , which is eternal to ; Then do our minds immortal forms receive , Which if they mortall were , they could not do . And as if Beasts conceiv'd what Reason were , And that conception should distinctly show , They should the name of reasonable bear ; For without Reason none could Reason know . So when the Soule mounts with so high a wing , As of eternal things she doubts can move ; She proofs of her eternity doth bring , Even when she strives the contrary to prove . For even the thought of Immortality , Being an act done without the Bodies aid , Shewes that her selfe alone could move , and be , Although the body in the grave were laid . And if her selfe she can so lively move , And never need a forraigne help to take , Then must her motion everlasting prove , Because her selfe she never can forsake . But though corruption cannot touch the mind , By any cause that from it selfe may spring ; Some outward cause fate hath perhaps design'd , Which to the Soule may utter quenching bring . Perhaps her cause may cease , and she may die ; God is her cause , his word her maker was , Which shall stand fixt for all eternity , When heaven and earth shall like a shadow passe , Perhaps some thing repugnant to her kind , By strong Antipathy the Soule may kill ; But what can be contrary to the mind , Which holds all contraries in concord still ? She lodgeth heat , and cold , and moist , and dry , And life , and death , and peace , and war together ; Ten thousand fighting things in her do lye , Yet neither troubleth or disturbeth either . Perhaps for want of food the Soule may pine ; But that were strange , since all things bad and good , Since all Gods creatures mortall and divine , Since God himselfe is her eternall food . Bodies are fed with things of mortal kind , And so are subject to mortality ; But truth , which is eternal , feeds the mind ; The tree of life which will not let her dye . Yet violence perhaps the Soul destroyes ; As lightning or the Sun-beams dim the sight ; Or as a thunder-clap or Cannons noyse , The power of hearing doth astonish quite . But high perfection to the Soule it brings , T' encounter things most excellent and high ; For when she viewes the best and greatest things , They do not hurt , but rather clear her eye . But lastly , Time perhaps at last hath power To spend her lively powers , and quench her light ; But old God Saturne which doth all devour , Doth cherish her , and still augment her might . Heaven waxeth old , and all the Spheares above Shall one day faint , and their swift motion stay , And Time it selfe in time shall cease to move ; Onely the Soule survives , and lives for aye . " Our Bodies every footstep that they make , " March towards death , untill at last they dye ; Whether we work , or play , or sleep , or wake , " Our life doth passe , and with times wings doth flye . But to the Soule Time doth perfection give , And adds fresh lustre to her beauty still ; And makes her in eternal youth to live , Like her which Nectar to the God , doth full . The more she lives , the more she feeds on truth , The more she feeds , her strength doth more increase ; And what is strength , but an effect of youth ? Which if time nurse , how can it ever cease ? But now these Epicures begin to smile , And say , my doctrine is more safe then true , And that I fondly do my selfe beguile , While these receiv'd opinions I ensue . For what , say they , doth not the Soule wax old ? How comes it then , that aged men do dote ? And that their braines grow sottish , dull , and cold , Which were in youth the onely spirits of note ? What ? are not Soules within themselves corrupted ? How can there Idiots then by Nature be ? How is it that some wits are interrupted , That now they dazled are , now clearly see ? These Questions make a subtile Argument , To such as think both Sense and Reason one ; To whom nor agent from the instrument , Nor power of working , from the work is knowne , For if that region of the tender braine , Wherein th'inward sense of phantasie should sit , And th'outward senses gatherings should retaine , By nature , or by chance , become unfit . Either at first uncapable it is , And so few things or none at all receives , Or mar'd by accident , which haps amisse , And so amisse it every thing perceives . Then as a cunning Prince that useth Spies , If they returne no newes , doth nothing know ; But if they make advertizement of Lyes ; The Princes Counsel all awry do go . Even so the Soule to such a Body knit , Whose inward senses undisposed be , And to receive the formes of things unfit , Where nothing is brought in , can nothing see . But if a Phrensie do possesse the braine , It so disturbs and blots the formes of things , As phantasie proves altogether vaine , And to the wit no true relation brings . Then doth the wit admitting all for true , Build fond conclusions on those idle grounds ; Then doth it flie the good , and ill pursue , Beleeving all that this false Spie propounds . But purge the humours , and the rage appease , Which this distemper in the fancy wrought , Then will the wit , which never had disease , Discourse , and judge discreetly as it ought . Then these defects in Senses Organs be , Not in the Soule , or in her working might ; She cannot loose her perfect power to see , Though mists , & clouds , do choke her window light , The Soule in all hath one Intelligence ; Though too much moisture in an Infants braine , And too much drinesse in an old mans sense , Cannot the prints of outward things retaine , Then doth the Soule want work , and idle sit , And this we childishnesse , and dotage call ; Yet hath she then a quick and active wit , If she had stuffe and tools to work withall . As a good Harper stricken far in years , Into whose cunning hands the Gout doth fall ; All his old Crotchets in his braine he bears , But on his Harp playes ill , or not at all . Then dotage is no weaknesse of the mind , But of the Sense : for if the mind did wast , In all old men we should this wasting find , When they some certaine terme of years had past . But most of them even to their dying hour , Retaine a mind more lively , quick , and strong , And better use their understanding power , Then when their brains were warm , and limbs were young . Yet say these men , if all her Organs dye , Then hath the Soule no power her powers to use ; So in a sort her powers extinct do lye , When unto act she cannot them reduce . And if her powers be dead , then what is she ? For since from every thing some powers do spring , And from those powers some acts proceeding be , Then kill both power , and act , and kill the thing . Doubtles the bodies death , when once it dies , The instruments of sense and life doth kill ; So that she cannot use those faculties , Although their root restin her substance still . But ( as the body living ) wit and will Can judge and chuse , without the bodies aid ; Though on such objects they are working still , As through the bodies Organs are conveyd . So when the body serves her turne no more , And all her Senses are extinct and gone , She can discourse of what she learn'd before , In heavenly contemplations all alone . And ( though the Instruments by which we live , And view the world , the bodies death to kill ) Yet with the body they shall all revive , And all their wonted offices fulfill . But how till then shall she her selfe imploy ? Her spies are dead , which brought home news before , What she hath got and keeps , she may enjoy , But she hath means to understand no more . Then what do those poor Soules which nothing get ? Or what do those which get and cannot keep ? Like Buckets bottomlesse , which all out let ; Those Soules for want of exercise must sleep . See how mans Soule against it selfe doth strive , Why should we not have other means to know ? As children while within the womb they live Feed by the navil ; here they feed not so . These children , if they had some use of sense , And should by chance their mothers talking heare , That in short time they shall come forth from thence , Would fear their birth , more then our death we feare . They would cry out , if we this place shall leave , Then shall we break our tender navil strings ; How shall we then our nourishment receive , Since our sweet food no other conduit brings ? And if a man should to these babes reply , That into this faire world they shal be brought , Where they shal see the earth , the sea , the sky ; The glorious Sun , and all that God hath wrought . That there ten thousand dainties they shal meet , Which by their mouths they shal with pleasure take , Which shal be cordial too , aswel as sweet , And of their little limbs tall bodies make . This would they think a fable , even as we Do think the story of the golden age ; Or as some sensual spirits amongst us be , Which hold the world to come , a faigned stage . Yet shall these infants after find all true , Though then thereof they nothing could conceive , Assoon as they are borne the world they view , And with their mouths the Nurses milk receive . So when the Soule is borne ( for death is nought , But the Soules birth , and so we should it call ) Ten thousand things she sees beyond her thought , And in an unknown manner knowes them all . Then doth she see by Spectacles no more , She hears not by report of double spies ; Her selfe in instants doth all things explore , For each thing present , and before her lyes . But still this Crew with Questions me pursues : If Soules deceasd ( say they ) still living be , Why do they not return , to bring us newes Of that strange world , where they such wonders see ? The Soule hath here on earth no more to do , Then we have businesse in our mothers womb : What child doth covet to returne thereto ? Although all children first from thence do come ? And doubtlesse such a Soule as up doth mount , And doth appear before her Makers face , Holds this vile world in such a base account , As she looks down , and scorns this wretched place . But such as are detruded downe to Hell , Either for shame they still themselves retire ; Or tyed in chaines , they in close Prison dwell , And cannot come , although they much desire . Well well say these vaine spirits , though vain it is To think our Soules to heaven or hel do go , Politick men have thought it not amisse , To spread this lye , to make men vertuous so . Do you then think this moral vertue good ? I think you do , even for your private gain ; For Common-wealths by vertue ever stood , And common good the private doth contain . Oh how can that be false , which every tongue Of every mortal man , affirmes for true ? Which truth hath in all ages been so strong , As load-stone like all hearts it ever drew . For not the Christian , or the Jew alone , The Persian , or the Turk , acknowledge this , This mystery to the wild Indian knowne , And to the Cannibal and Tartar is . None that acknowledge God , or providence , Their Soules eternity did ever doubt , For all Religion takes her root from hence , Which no poor naked Nation lives without . If death do quench us quite , we have great Wrong , Since for our service all things else were wrought , That Dawes , & Trees , and Rocks , should last so long , When we must in an instant passe to nought . But blest be that great power , that hath us blest , With longer life then heaven or earth can have ; Which hath enfusd into one mortal brest Immortal powers , not subject to the grave . For though the Soule do seem her grave to bear , And in this world is almost buried quick , We have no cause the bodies death to fear , For when the shel is broke , ou● comes a Chick . For as the Soules Essential powers are three , The quickning power , the power of Sense and Reason , Three kinds of life to her designed be , Which perfect these three powers in their due season . The fi●st life in the mothers womb is spent , Where she her nursing power doth onely use ; Where when she finds defects of nourishment , Sh'expels her body , and this world she viewes . This we call Birth , but if the Child could speake , He Death would call it , and of nature plaine , Tha she would thrust him out naked and weak , And in h●s passage pinch him with such paine , Yet out he comes , and in this world is plac't , Where all his Senses in perfection be , Where he finds flowers to smel , and truits to tast , And sounds to hear , and sundry formes to see . When he hath past some time upon this stage , His Reason then a little seems to wake ; Which though she spring when sense doth fade with age , Yet can she here , no perfect practise make . Then doth th'aspiring Soule the body leave , Which we call death , but were it known to all , What life our Soules do by this death receive , Men would it Birth , or Gaole-delivery call . In this third life Reason will be so bright , As that her spark will like the Sun-beams shine , And shall of God enjoy the real sight , Being still increast by influence Divine . O ignorant poor man , wha● d●st thou bear , Lock't up within the Casket of thy breast ? What Jewels , and what riches hast thou there ? What heavenly treasure in so weak a chest ? Look in thy Soule , and thou shalt beauties find , Like those which drown'd Narcissus in the flood , Honour and Pleasure , both are in thy mind , And all that in the world is counted good . There are a Crew of fellowes of suppose , That angle for their victualls with their nose As quick as Beagles in the smelling sence To smell a feast in Pauses 2 miles from thence . Think of her worth , and think that God did mean This worthy mind should worthy things embrace ; Blot not her beauties with thy thoughts unclean , Nor her dishonour with thy passions base . Kill not her quickning power with surfettings , Mar not her sense with Sensuality , Cast not her serious wit on idle things , Make not her free-will slave to vanity . And when thou think'st of her eternity , Think not that death against her nature is , Think it a birth : and when thou goest to dye , Sing like a Swan , as if thou went'st to bliss . And if thou like a Child didst fear before , Being in the dark , where thou did'st nothing see ; Now I have brought thee Torch-light , fear no more , Now when thou diest , thou canst not hoodwinkt be , Take heed of over-weening , and compare Thy Peacocks feet with thy gay Peacocks train , Study the best , and highest things that are , But of thy self an humble thought retain . Cast down thy selfe , and only strive to raise The glory of thy Makers sacred name ; Use all thy powers , that blessed power to praise , Which gives thee power to be , and use the same . FINIS . Notes, typically marginal, from the original text Notes for div A37242e-200 What the Soule is . That the soul is a thing subsisting by it selse without the body . That the soul hath a proper Operation without the body . That the soul is more then the temperatures of the humours of the Bodie . That the soul is a Spirit . That it cannot be a Body . That the soul is created immediately by God , Zech. 12.1 . Erronious opinions of the creation of Soules . That the soul is not traduced from the parents . Reasons drawn from nature . Why the soul is united to the body In what manner the Soule is united to the Body . How the soul doth exercise her powers in the Body . The vegetative or quickning power . The power of Sense . Sight . The Phantasie . The sensative Memory . The passions of Sense . The motion of life . The locall motion . The intellectuall powers of the Soule . The Wit , or understanding . Reason Understanding . Opinion . Judgement . Note , The Power or Will . The relations betwixt Wit and Will . The Intellectual Memory An Acclamation . That the soul is immortal & cannot dye . 1 Reason . Drawne from the desire of Knowledge . 2 Reason . Drawne from the Motion of the Soule . The Soule compared to a River . 4 Reason . From contempt of death in the better fort of 〈◊〉 4 Reason . From the fear of death i' the wicked souls . 5 Reason . From the generall desire of imortality . 6 Reason . From the very doubt and dispuration of immortality . That the soul cannot be destroyed . Her cause ceaseth not . She hath no contrary . She can't dye for want of food . Violence cannot destroy her . Time cannot destroy her . Objections against the immortality of the Soule . 1 Objection . Answer . 2 Objection . Answer . 3 Objection . Answer . 4 Objection . Answer . 5 Objection . Answer . The generall consent of all Three kinds of life answerable to the three powers of the Soule . An Acclamation . 
A10687	----	The countrie mans comfort. Or Religious recreations fitte for all well disposed persons. Which was printed in the yeere of our Lord 1588. And since corrected, amended, and enlarged by the same author. I.R. Rhodes, John, minister of Enborne. 1637 Approx. 94 KB of XML-encoded text transcribed from 46 1-bit group-IV TIFF page images. Text Creation Partnership, Ann Arbor, MI ; Oxford (UK) : 2004-11 (EEBO-TCP Phase 1). A10687 STC 20961 ESTC S103457 99839210 99839210 3612 This keyboarded and encoded edition of the work described above is co-owned by the institutions providing financial support to the Early English Books Online Text Creation Partnership. This Phase I text is available for reuse, according to the terms of Creative Commons 0 1.0 Universal . The text can be copied, modified, distributed and performed, even for commercial purposes, all without asking permission. Early English books online. (EEBO-TCP ; phase 1, no. A10687) Transcribed from: (Early English Books Online ; image set 3612) Images scanned from microfilm: (Early English books, 1475-1640 ; 1254:03) The countrie mans comfort. Or Religious recreations fitte for all well disposed persons. Which was printed in the yeere of our Lord 1588. And since corrected, amended, and enlarged by the same author. I.R. Rhodes, John, minister of Enborne. [90] p. By M. D[awson] and are to be sold by Anne Boler, at the signe of the Marigold in Pauls Church-yard, Printed at London : 1637. I.R. = John Rhodes. Signatures: A-F (-F6-8, blank?). Printer's name from STC. In verse. Imperfect; leaf F6 lacking; supplied in manuscript. Reproduction of the original in the British Library. Created by converting TCP files to TEI P5 using tcp2tei.xsl, TEI @ Oxford. Re-processed by University of Nebraska-Lincoln and Northwestern, with changes to facilitate morpho-syntactic tagging. 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Keying and markup guidelines are available at the Text Creation Partnership web site . eng Religious poetry -- Early works to 1800. 2004-08 TCP Assigned for keying and markup 2004-08 Apex CoVantage Keyed and coded from ProQuest page images 2004-09 Olivia Bottum Sampled and proofread 2004-09 Olivia Bottum Text and markup reviewed and edited 2004-10 pfs Batch review (QC) and XML conversion THE COVNTRIE Mans Comfort . OR Religious Recreations , fitte for all well disposed persons . Which was Printed in the yeere of our Lord 1588. And since corrected , amended , and enlarged by the same Author . I. R. PSAL. 34. 11. Come ye Children ( in vnderstanding ) I will teach you the feare of the Lord. COL . 3. 16. Let the words of Christ dwell in you plenteously in all wisedome , teaching and admonishing your owne selues , in Psalmes , Hymnes and spirituall Songs , singing with a grace in your hearts to the Lord. Printed at London by M. D. and are to be sold by Anne Boler , at the signe of the Marigold in Pauls Church-yard . 1637. To the Christian Reader , grace and peace . GOod Reader , in the yeere of our Lord 1588. when the Divell , Pope , and Spaniard did rage against our late Q. Elizabeth , ( never to be forgotten ) and this kingdome to haue both killed vs : and to possesse the land ▪ and when God had so miraculously delivered vs from that invincible Navie ( as they termed it ) I wrote this Booke , containing in it many good Songs , Ditties & Carrols , for the comfort and solace of all those that are well disposed , after so miraculous deliverance from our enemies , the Pope and Spaniards . If therfore it happen to light into hands that are wise and learned : know this that I doe not count it so fit a booke for thee as for the Schollers of pettie Schooles the poore Coutrieman and his familie , who wil aske these vain questions , som times saying : what shall we doe in the long winter nights : how shall we passe away the time on Sundayes , what wold you haue vs doe in the Christmas Hollydayes : For such haue I made this booke , wherein I shall no doubt please their merrie minds a little , for that they are naturally given to sing , if happily I may winne them to sing good things and forsake euill . And when the gun-powder Treason was found out and bewrayed : I began to looke over this little booke : and finding as great cause to mooue vnto thankefulnesse now as then : I did as my leasure serued me correct & amend my former labors , and added and augmented them more then was in the former booke : and now haue finished the same , I offer it to the view of all well minded persons , and as for others that cannot take plaine labors in good part : I leaue them to themselues , and the rest vnto God. The Lords poore and humble seruant , I. R. The Countrymans comfort . A song in stead of an Introduction to this worke , worthy your reading and entituled A Table of good Counsell . It will goe to the tune of in Create , if you sing it . FIrst learne to honour God aright , Let loue and feare thereto provok : Obey the King , with all thy might Submit thy selfe to Parents yoke . Imbrace the good and shunne the ill : This is the summe of wisedomes skill . To know thy selfe thou must apply : And try thy friend before thou trust : Content thy selfe , clime not too hie , Let word and deed be all waies iust . Striue not to swim against the streame : Account not of a drowsie dreame . Wish not for wealth by parents death , A friend farre passeth worldly good : And while the body yeeldeth breath , Seeke not for to exceede in foode . For great excesse of meate and drinke , Doth cause the soule in sinne to sinke . Faint not though fortune fauour fooles , Fret not at others good successe : Delight to sit in learned schooles , Thy former faults seeke to redresse . Spurne not at him that tells thy crime , Mend that against another time . Spend sparingly yet not too nye , And make accompt how wealth doth wast : Hate Suretiship all debt bookes flie . To giue thy word make thou no hast . Let not apparrell sumptuous be : But still remember thy degree . Respect not only present time , But marke also what may ensue : For cracke of credit is a crime , Change not an old friend for a new . Take heed of brasen face past shame : And loue to liue in honest fame . Praise no man till thou dost him knowe , Dispraise not rashly any wight : Least shame thereby to thee may growe , Speake but few words place them aright . Into the world then maist thou goe , And say thy friend hath taught thee so . The summe of the Creed in Meeter : IN Father Sonne and Holy Ghost , Beleeue I stedfastly , And that Christ Iesus Man became : I hold as earnestlie . He also suffered for our sinnes , Himselfe still voyde of sinne : Who did descend the manner how , I say not much therein . We find that Christ felt so much paine , As satisfied Gods Ire : And reconciled man to God , That 's all we neede require . And as for Christ in Pix , in bread , Or harrowing vp of Hell : Of Purgatory Limbus twaine , The Scripture doth not tell . One true Church Catholike there is , One earth still Millitant : And I a member of the same , Through Christ now Tryumphant . This Church it hath Communion , And God remitts their sinne : To life and glory they shall rise , And they shall neuer linne , To sing out HALLELVIAH , In euerlasting Blisse , Wherefore beleeue and liue well here , That so you may be his . Amen . The summe of the Tenne Commandements . 1 None but Iehova haue for God , 2 No Creature worship thou , 3 Take not Gods holy Name in vaine , 4 Keepe well the Sabboth now , 5 Thy Parents honor and obey , 6 No murder once commit , 7 Be none adulterer at all , 8 Steale not by hand or wit , 9 False witnesse beare thou not , I say , 10 Ne couet not in heart , Thy neighbors wife , seruant or goods , That God gaue for his part . These Ten Commandements we deuide , Still into Tables twaine : And take them for our spirituall guide , And our direction plaine . First to the worship of our God , And then to Christian loue : That we may shunne the fiery rod , And liue in heauen aboue . Then doe not like to Papists adde , Nor take from this his Law , But downe with Images and all , And euer liue in Awe . And as the Lord did make vs all , So let him teach vs too : For he knowes what is best for vs , And we blind what to doe . FINIS . A Briefe of the Lords Prayer . O Father ours which art in heauen , Still hallowed be thy Name , Thy kingdome come , thy will be done , In earth without all blame . As it performed is in heauen , Ofsoules and Angels bright : Where thou art serued without sin , And praysed day and night . Giue vs this day our daily bread , Forgiue our sinnes likewise , As we forgiue them that vs hurt , When quarrells doe arise . Into temptation lead us not , So to be overcome , As wicked persons euer are , That lose thy sweet kingdome . For thine is that celestiall place , With power and glorie still , Both now and euermore , Amen , Say we with right good will. To pray to Saints or creatures then , you see t is Po-pe-rie , To haue a Picture in this worke : Is idle certainely . A Crucifix is nothing worth , Ne Beades to count vpon : For blind-men they must leaue those Paints , And pray to God alone . FINIS . The Summe of the old Covenant or Testament with the two Sacraments thereof giuen to the Iewes by Almightie God. IEhova that great God of heaven , gaue to the fathers old : A covenant of doing all , That in the Law is told . Doe this and liue said God to them , But no man could do so : Wherefore the law sends all to Christ , To keepe their soules from woe . This covenant was sign'd and seald , With two cleere Sacraments : The first was Circumcision , Withall rights and intents . Th' other was the Passeouer , Wherein Christ was set out : The Lambe of God slaine for our sinnes , Of this be out of doubt . FINIS . The Summe of the new Covenant or Testament with the two Sacraments confirming the same and given both to the Iewes and Gentills by Iesus Christ the sonne of God. THe Couenant of Christ with man , in the new Testament : Is this that we beleeue in him , and striue with whole intent . To loue and liue as Christ hath done , yea beare his crosse and pray : That we may doe as we would haue , men deale with vs alway , This Covenant also is confirmed With holy Sacraments twaine , Which like wise set out Christ to vs , Who for our sinnes was slaine . The first of these is Baptisme , Which sets out our new Birth , The other the Lords Supper is Which brings vs heavenly mirth . And thus one Church is gathered Of Jewes and Gentiles eke , Rome therefore is a Harlot found And our Church Catholicke : For we stand firmly to Gods word , And thereby wil be taught , But Papists cheifely by the Pope , Which thing great strife hath wrought ; These Sacraments which Christ set out They like not simple-ly But will have 7. S. to Christs twaine ; And giue no reason why . Consider what absurdities , Doe grow of this by them . Five covenants more they would confirme , Belike from mortall men . Their Priests of all men should receiue The Sacraments each one . Yet must he not be married , For then his Priest-hoods gone ; Some of these fiue cal'd Sacraments , The people may not haue : As Orders yea and Marriage too , Which some men will not craue . Where as the Sacraments of Christ , Must be received of all : Even as his Law and Covenant , Which serues for great and small . But I will now contend no more , I seeke to teach the Truth : And to bewraye Absurdities , To aged folke and youth . FINIS . An instruction of the whole year deuided in 12. Months , foure seasons or quarters as also into weekes and daies , of the Sabboth or Lords day : and what is the true keeping of it . Of a Yeare . A yeare is that which holds from spring to spring From march to march the fiue & twentith day Wherein we sow and reape of euery thing , To serue for meat and clothing as we say . Of the 12. Monthes in the yeare . Twelue monthes there are belonging to each year Into foure quarters we divide the same . Thirteen full moons in this space doe appeare And 4 weeks maks vp euery month we name Of the names of the Monthes . Cold Ianuary , Februarie , March , Mild Aprill , May , with Iune and Iuly these , Hot August which the corn doth ripe & parch September sweet which doth the Ploughman please October and November then takes place , The last of all these Months is cald December And they that haue but even a sparke of grace Gods benefits in these they will remember . Of the 4. Quarters in the yeare 1 The Quarters foure in all the year are these March twentie fiue is cald our Lady-day , Or the Anun-tia-ti-on if you please , Of blessed Marie by that man of ioy . I meane the Angell Gabriell which did come , With newes frō heauē that she shuld mother be Of Iesus Christ Gods deare & only sonne , Which story in the Scripture all may see . 2 The second quarter hapneth still in Iune , And Saint Iohn Baptists day we doe it call : Or Midsommer in English speach or tune , The yeare is then at best as it will fall . 3 The third is in the Month we call Septēber And beares the name of glorious Mi-cha-ell Wherein let poore men euermore remember Their yeare or halfe yeares rent to pay downe well 4 The fourth and last falls in December still , And Christmas quarter men doe cal the same God grant vs in them all to doe Gods will. And so to thriue in body , goods , and name . FINIS . A religious Letter , shewing how and whom to wooe in the way of Marriage , though all men cannot doe , or haue it so as is here set downe . IN humble wise I doe commend , and write these words to you : Whom I esteeme as my deare friend , neuer to change for new . Vnto my words in patience , now let your eares incline : And that will be some recompence , to quit these paynes of mine . In younger yeares when strength did grow , and nature sought her will : I vsed all good meanes that are , The same to quench and kill . I prayd to God , I fasted oft , I kept from com-pa-ny : I read good bookes to beat downe lust , And harlots haunts did fly . I labor'd in my calling much , I watcht and studied harde : Yet as I sat the tempter came , With all his band and guard . Evill motions he did raise in me , With Ona-nizme Sinne : But I likte not or gaue consent , To ought that he brought in . But I would walke abroad sometimes , And take some re-cre-ation : To put vaine thoughts out of my heart , In good and christian fashion . And even in this had I respect , to every cir-cum-stance , Time , place and seasons every thing , That goodnes might advance . Then went I to my worke againe , I never made a toyle : Of sport or recreation , Which should be but as File To get the Mellancholly ruste ▪ And filth of flesh away ▪ Least Sinne and Sathan should in me As Kings beare rule and sway . When none of these things did prevaile But Sathan tempted still : I thought vpon mans last refuge ▪ Gods lawes for to fulfill . I meane the honest Marriage Bed , Therein to liue most chast : My body which Gods Temple is , No way to file or wast . My Parents which did bring me vp , Gaue learning to mine Art : And made me often read Gods word , Which I laid vp in heart . Thus getting Scripture readily , As at my fingers ends : I vanquisht world the flesh and Divell , Not shaming selfe nor friends . This was of God , I wrought it not , but here all sorts may see : Christs yoke is easyer then we judge , If good meanes vsed be . But if like Cowardes we will yeelde , To lust and to affection : So oft as Sathan he will tempt , In vaine is all direction . Where fore such counsell as I reade , Such counsell giue will I : Resist the Deuill saith Saint Iames , And he from thee will flie ▪ Or else how did good Iosephhe Susanna and the rest , Withstand all filthines of sin and whoredome still detest ▪ To passe by this I will proceede , and bend my speech more plaine ▪ To you whom I respect in heart , in which I doe not faine . Because I meane to knit my selfe ▪ In marriage as I said : I did bethinke my selfe where I , Might find some honest maid . That I might wooe and take to wife , In wedlocke to liue so ▪ As that I might not grieue my friends nor yet reioyce my foes ▪ And still my mind did runne on you , as fittest match for me ; Among you madens in these parrs , Or any I can see , You are no gadding gosseper ▪ No proud nor peacocke dame : No night bird walker as some are That liue not in good fame . No stage play runner nor no shrew , Of shrill or pratling tongue : No scould nor brawler or stout peice , That hurts both old and yong . No selfe wild person sowre or crosse , To please or to intreate : No idle houswife or the like , That can but play and eate . No sweet mouth'd triflles , longing still ▪ For all things farre or neere : And with the first to craue ripe fruite , Though it be scarce and deere . I know that you can reade and write ▪ Yea sing and sweetly play On instruments of sundry sorts For your delight all way . The needle , and the loome also , You handle cunningly The knitting needles of all sorts Your fingers can apply . Yet this doth nothing hinder you , From wheele and distaffe plaine : Which is the mistris sport sometimes , And is not without gaine . I know that you liue soberly , Content with meane estate : Abhorring pride and vanities To liue at simple rate . A great Paines taker in an house ; For all works that belong : To women sexe both small and great , Though you not very strong . All this doth come from God aboue , For you liue in his feare : And Parents haue tooke paines with you Which winnes praise every where . Blessed and happy is that man ; Which can winne loue of thee : Or of thy like in some good part , Though some should wanting be . I pray you now to vnderstand , That all my words doe tend : To get your favour and your loue , In Marriage or I end . And for my selfe you know me well , I am a neighbours sonne : And you a neighbours daughter are , You know then whence I come ▪ I must not prayse my selfe at all My deedes and godly men ; Shall be sufficient in this point , Wherefore I spare my Pen. Yet giue me leaue a word or two , In things that all know not : Concerning me my life and state : Which may fall to thy lot . I feare and worship God on hie , And what the scripture saith : That I beleeue unfainedly , And there on build my faith . All po-pe-ry I doe detest , With Sects and Schismes all : In Christ and his Apostles words , I stay and euer shall . Now my profession sure it is , Befitting your degree : Which may induce thy heart to loue , And thinke the more on me . I am no vnthrift any way , No prodigall or such : No Naball niggard Churll or Clowne ▪ At kindred for to grutch . I am no cosening cogging knaue , No shifter vile or base : No drunkard whoremaister or theefe , That dares not shew their face . I am no slothfull or drone Bee , To sucke away the honey : That other men haue laboured for , I owe no debts nor mony , I stand not bound in suretieship , For any man aliue : I take no goods or wares on trust , For then I should not thriue . I brag it not in brokers suites Of veluet , silke , or Sattine : VViddowes or maydens to deceiue , By tongue that runnes on pattine . I meddle not with vserers , That eate men out of all Lands , goods , and leases , paunes , and what May bring a mans great fall . I follow my vocation still , And on the Sabboth day : VVith all my seruants goe to Church To heare gods word and pray . House , land , and mony some I haue , My parents left it me ▪ Enough to bring a woman to , If married I should be . And something I haue purchast since , If children I should haue That they in time may be possest , Of that we get or saue , What wealth you haue I doe not know , Nor will I that enquire , It is sufficient if you like , and all I doe desire . Our Parents thine and mine are dead , Else would I out of hand : Make suit to them for their good wills , as Gods word doth command . But seeing God hath called them , And you at liberty : To marry whom you will in God , That course now stay will I. But if that you haue other men , In such a worke to use : There good aduise I wish you take , And doe it not refuse . The better euery thing shall goe , With you and eke with me : For that with good advise this worke , Our friends shall euer see . Now will I draw vnto an end , Till I may heare from you ; What hope there may be of my suite , Or what shall now ensue . The Lord direct your heart aright , That I thine owne may be : If God hath so ordained it , And thus farewell to thee . Your louing friend , your friend indeede That will not faile : in time of neede . A. B. FINIS . Certaine verses or English Meeters concerning locking in of our doors at Night and of opening them in the Morning with prayer , and then of following some lawfull vocation or other . To the Tune of the 25. Psalme . AT night thy doores shut in , With Prayer to the Lord , Repent and leaue thy sinnes betimes , And so escape the sword . For one day we shall count , For thoughts for words for deedes ; Therefore let not the soule of thine , Be pestered with such weedes . No quiet can there be ▪ To them that sleepe in sinne : And are not reconciled to God , By Christ our helpe therein . When Morning doth appeare , And thou intendst to rise : Prayse God for thy good rest and sleepe , and shake of slothfull guise . Vnlocke thy doores againe , With prayer as before : And willingly take paines some way , In goodnesse euermore . For they that liue at ease , And have no calling knowne , Liue not a Christian life be sure , Though they liue on their owne . As the eues such are to God , And to his Children deare : The slothfull idle spending life , Is no way in Gods feare . If thou be but a childe , At schoole let be thy worke : And doe not lose thy golden time , In corners for to lurke . If thou a seruant be , A man or else a mayde : Doe that which doth belong to thee , To sinne be thou afraid . If Gentleman or Knight , Or if young Lord thou be : Let study good and exercise , Be pleasant unto thee ▪ Thy house thy name and wealth , Will else be ouer throwne : And thou a man of no esteeme When thy bad life is knowne ▪ The streets of euery Towne , are to to full each day : Of idle and vnthrifty men , That seekes their owne decay , The Lord our God amend , This sinne and all the rest : That now doth raigne in Englishmen For God doth it detest . FINIS . A song in praise of Musicke against all Stoickelike Natures . Which may be sung to the Tune of : In Create when Dedalus . THe Poets write in Musickes praise , That Orpheus with his tuned Harpe The stones could moue the trees could raise And make the warbling Birds to carpe , And all to shew that Musickes art Can mollifie a stony heart . The silly infants mournfull cry The fostering Nurse with songs doth stay , The Ploughmans whistling melody Doth passe away the painefull day The horse and Mule with sound of bell Encouraged is to labour well . The Head enfraught with frantike toies The tuned strings doe make full graue : The heart opprest and voide of ioy . Will greatly ioy Musicke to haue When studie deepe hath duld the braine Musicke will sharpe the edge againe . We read how Dauid plaid full trimme Before the holy Arke of God And how his wife for mocking him By sentence iust was then forbod For hauing Children any more But barren should she be therefore . The shepheards and the Angels eke When that our Sauiour Christ was borne With voice did laud that lambe so meeke That died for mankind without scorne We ought to praise the Lord also VVith musicks art in wealth and woe . A song well set well sung with voice , Or other musicke handled fine . Farre passeth any earthly noyse Yea rather is a thing divine . And some doe writ that Musicke euen Doth represent the ioyes of heauen . Since Musick is a science such , That God will honoured be withall A fish and fowle ioyes therein much And euery thing to nature thrall Hath he not then a stony heart That can dispraise this noble art . Loue Musicke therefore in her use Loue Poetry void of abuse Heare songs and Instruments somtimes So as they lead not to ill crimes And thus an end of Musicks praise VVhich God aduance in all our dayes . FINIS . A song in commendation of diuers instruments of Musicke . PRaise the Lord O man mortall Night and day upon him call Sing and say both great and small That God is good and iust : Search and seeke the Scripture well It doth testifie and tell Euery one in ioy shall dwell ▪ That in the Lord doth trust . Take the sounding Trumpet shrill Tabrell and the sweete Timbrill Winde the Flute with right good will , That Saints on earth may heare : Let the Drummer strike amaine , Till our spirituall foes be slaine Then with ioy retire againe , And serue the Lord in feare . Bring the Bandora to blay , Let the Bumberd come and Bray Put not Dulcimers away Nor pipes that praise the Lord , Send the Cinfan and Simball Sacbuts long and virginall Let the Lute and Citterns small Agree with one accord . Heare the Crumpehorne and the Harpe Hoboise and the Regale sharpe Let the Vialls come and carpe Our minds for to delight . Sing with Shalmes and Psaltery Play vpon the Organes hie Cause the Cornets for to crie In skillfull peoples sight . Learne in Gods word how you may Vse these Instruments in play Putting the abuse away That wicked men doe use . Let your mirth and Musicke , still Be according to Gods will Carnall lust for euer kill On good things alwayes muse . March with Moses valiantly Answer Miriam singingly After Israels victorie On Pharaoh and his hoast : Ioy with ioyfull Iaell shee Debora and Baruck hee VVho did Siseras downfall see Of whom there was much boast . Brittaine thinke on things of waight Spaniards comming eighty eight VVith the Powder plot conceipt VVhere of all sorts should tast Dally not with God therefore Trust not Papists any more Banish them that blessings store , May come to vs in hast . Their Sinnes of Idolla-try Our Sinnes of impiety Both of them to God doth cry For vengeance night and day Let vs therefore now repent And all our sinfull wayes lament Let our minds to good be bent And we shall liue for aye . FINIS . A song against Fortune and those that haue or doe defend the same , which may be sung to the Tune of : Fortune my foe ▪ why dost thou frowne on me . FOrtune shall bene God nor guide of mine , Fortune to thee , nothing I will resigne : Fortune thou art the heathens Queene and Princesse How should a Christian take thee for his Mistres . Fortune some say shee hath a restles wheele , Turning the same that men her power may feele Fortune doth giue ; and take life as a Princesse , Thus euery way ▪ is Fortune tooke for Mistres . But shall I shew the folly of this thing ? And credit haue if I the truth doe bring Then giue me leaue & I will proue this Heathnesse To be no Goddesse Princesse Queene or Mistresse Fortune what is it who can tell or shew ? It is no God nor Angell this we know : No man nor woman , no creature dumbe or senceles , No vice nor vertue to be made a Princesse . What world or worke did Fortune make or frame ? What law or Gospel comes forth in her name ? Whom doth shee call to count with as a Princesse ? Where will shee raigne when this world 's turnd to ashes ? Seeth no man can define what Fortune is , Nor yet declare , her workes of bale or blisse : Seeth none did ever see or know this Princesse , Why should a christian take her for his Mistres ? In God therefore , that made both Sa and land , Heaven , earth , and all things with his mightie hand In him alone , the father of all mercies , I put my trust aboue all earthly Princes . Fortune and Fancy , Hazz and Happe and chance Venture and Destiny , Lucke an ignorance , God will destroy and call account of Princesse , Of young and old , of servants and of Mistres . Fortune ye see then ▪ is but even a name , Which Heathen Nations , to themselues did frame : Of prophane people , only she is Princesse , And therefore christians should haue no such Mistres . Where God is knowne and truely knowne indeed , There Fortunes name , is banisht with all speed : Ye a all grosse sinne , which doth our God offend , Which thing I prayse , and so my song shall end . FINIS . A song or Ditty made on this theame I know not what , wherein is shewed how men ought not to set their mindes on worldy pleasure but on the living Lord. To the tune of Labandalashot : and doth runne on the names of them that gaue the theame , and his that made the song . VVHo viewes the life of mortall man His state and where of he began : Shall find such hugy heapes of woe , As neither tongue nor penne can show : Wherewith our mindes should daunted bee From vsing worldly mirth and glee And mooue vs to consider well : What paines here are prepar'd in hell For wicked people as their lot which haue done heare they know not what . If euerie man would heare Gods word , and reuerently obey the Lord : Then wickednesse would not abound , But grace and vertue would be found In yong and old in hie and low In servants and in childre'n also In rich and poore in great and small In preachers and in people all Who delight in this and that And often doe they know not what . Looke round about in each degree And marke what crimes and faults we see Behold the court and country too And then note well what great a doe There is in euery kind of state Few are content with simple rate But euery one will elime aloft Till triall hath them plainely taught T is vaine in hope of this or that To say or doe they know not what . Loue is not found but here and there , Leud lust doth flourish euery where : Good lawes are made but kept at will , Loose living it increaseth still . Like swine we wallow in the mire , And seeke to follow vaine desire : Let God or man say what they please We hunt for pleasure wealth and ease , And for the loue of this and that : We say and doe we know not what . In pompe and pride we doe excell , Like Lucifer the Diuell of hell : All new found fashions we doe craue , To make our bodies fine and braue , But for our soules we little care , Small suites for it we doe prepare : We gard and lace vs round about , In Iigges and Iagges we let it out . Some will weare this , some will weare that , And some will weare they know not what . All whordome is but trickes of youth ▪ Say those that doe not know the truth ▪ Not one of twentie when they wed , Doe bring vnto the Marriage bed , Their bodies pure as Christians ought , But fleshly pleasure first is sought : And for to cloake their filthy deed They must be married with all speede . Then they doe liue like Dog and Cat , Because they did they knew not what . Much swearing many a one doth vse , And so the Name of God abuse Some sweare by wounds , by blood and heart , By foote by sides and euery part By Masse by crosse by light by fire ▪ By bread and all we can desire . By faith and troth though they haue none By Saints and Angels many a one , Some sweare by this , some sweare by that , And some doe sweare they know not what . Fie on the drowsie drunken sort , that in excesse delight and sport : Fie on all ale-knights that will quaffe , to make men drunk when they may laugh Fie on all potmates that delight , to serue God Bacchus day and night ▪ To them belongs red eyes and nose , to them belongs the ragged cloathes For they still drinke of this and that vntill they doe they know not what . O when will covetousnes be left , with fraud and guile deceit and theft : Or when will vsurie take his flight , with flattery falshood craft and spight . When shall the poore in good state liue , by helpes and gifts that rich men giue : When will our land-Lords be content , to let their Farmes at the old rent . Alas they cannot heare of that , But they would haue they know not what . See how the Sabboth is abus'd , and all good exercise refus'd ▪ O see what pastimes men deuise , to please their carnall eares and eies . Few take delight to heare Gods word , but like bruite beasts they rise from board : To daunce to boule to gaud and game , though preachers oft reprooue the same . Some follow this , some follow that , and some doe follow they know not what . The Dice and Cardes esteemed be , of rich and poore we daily see : Till all is gone there is no stay , but at the Dice it must away . The married man the Batcheler , the prentice and the traueler : They follow gaming earnestly , vntill they come to beggery . Examples draw them not from that , but still they doe they know not what . Enfor'st I am to tell you plaine , what sinnes among us still remaine : That true repentaance may abound , while God in mercy may be found . For time will come when we shall say , what fooles we were to goe astray : And if we knock t' will be too late , for we shall answered be at gate . Depart from hence I know you not , which haue done here you know not what Repentance God doth not denie , if we doe aske before we die : And put not of from time to time , th' amendment of each fault and crime . And marke also what things are taught , and print them in your mind and thought Beat downe your wills with wit and grace , and foster not in any case : Your leude attempts to this or that , but in Gods word learne what is what . In humble sort pray we , pray we , vnto one God and persons three : O let vs magnifie his name , and sound out praises to the same . He hath given vs as may be seene , a royall King , a Prince and Queene . Nothing we lacke in these our dayes , wherefore let vs walke in his wayes Regarding neither this nor that : but seeke to know still what is what . Here will I knit vp and conclude , now will I end my verses rude O you that are disposed to sing , to read or heare this simple thing : Desire of God and so will I : That we may profit well hereby Euen for his sonne Christs Iesus sake , to whom let us our selues betake . So shall all neuer be forgot , for he will teach vs what is what . FINIS . A song against slaunderous tongues shewing that no sort of good men did or euer could escape them . VVHo so thou be that liuest best , and least of all deseruest blame , That would'st passe through aboue the rest , this world without reproch and shame . Come marke and see and credit me , all slanderous tongues would trouble thee If thou could'st walke with God himselfe , as Henoch did Noah by name : If Shem and Iaphets bashfullnes , were thine in hiding fathers shame . Yet marke and see and credit me : all slanderous tongues would trouble thee ▪ If thou had'st Abra'ms faith and trust , with Isa'kes Iacobs and that traine ▪ If Iosephs chastity thou hadst , and prouidence for countryes gaine . Yet marke and see and credit me , all slanderous tongues would trouble thee . If like to Deborah thou could'st be , to Iael Baruck and the best : To Gideon and to Ieptha he , to Samson stronger than the rest . Yet marke and see and credit me ▪ all slanderous tongues would trouble thee . If thou hadst Samuels righteoushes , with Dauids harpe and holines : The loue of Ionathan and those , that Saule the king tooke for his foes . Yet marke and see and credit me : all slanderous tongues would trouble thee . If thou in princely seat did'st sit , to rule the Realme ▪ with golden mace If thou were Solomon in wit , and cam'st of hie renowned race . Yet marke and see and credit me , all slanderous tongues will trouble thee If thov had'st all the cunning skill , that euer learned man could haue If thou in godly exercise , spend'st time untill thou goest to grave : Yet marke and see and credit me , all slanderous tongues will trouble thee . If thou had'st all King Cressus gold , and daily did'st the poore relieve : If God and nature had bestow'd , on thee all gifts that they could give . Yet marke and see and credit me , all slanderous tongues will trouble thee . If thou to Marriage giv'st thy minde , a number then their fancies say : Some like it well , some fault will finde , and some will dash it if they may . In this good worke still credit me , all slanderous tongues will trouble thee . If Virgin-like thou mean'st to live , or if a Maiden course thou take : If publike , or if private life , if lay or Clergie man thou make . Yet marke and see and credit me , all slandrous tongues will trouble thee . Was not our Saviour Christ thus us'd of Iewish people to his face : Were not the Prophets so abus'd , and the Apostles in like case : What good men now among us bee , that have from slandrous tongue bin free . Then to conclude seeth it is so , that slandrous tongues all sorts will bite : Let faith and patience be thy guide ▪ and let the Lord give them their right : Till then pray thou to God with me , to mend those tongues that slandrous be . FINIS . A song or ditty , shewing the nature of the ambitious , and what is true happinesse , namely to live as that we may make a good end before death . THe happy life in these our dayes , That all doth seek both small and great : Is who may gaine , or win the prayse , or who may sit in highest seat : But in this life happ what happ shall , the happy end exceedeth all . A good beginning oft we see , but seldome standeth at one stay : For few doe like the meane degree , then prayse at parting some men say , To death seeth euery one is thrall : the happy end exceedeth all . To be as wise as Cato was , or rich as Cressus in his life : To haue the strength of Hercules , which did subdue by force and strife . What helpeth it when Death doth call : the happy end exceedeth all . The longer life that we desire , the more offence doth daily grow : The greater paine it doth require , except the Lord some pitty shew . Wherefore I thinke and euer shall : the happy end exceedeth all . The rich my well the poore releeue , the rulers may redresse much wrong : The learned can good counsell giue , but marke the end of this my song . Who shewes good fruites happy I call , his happy end exceedeth all . FINIS . A song in dispraise of spight and enuie . To the tune of : Now leaue and let me rest . VVHen spight hath spent his worst , and malice wrought his will Then truth will trie the iust , and sift the good from ill ▪ Though truth may hap be blamed , by spight and spightfull parts , Yet truth shall not be shamed , for all their spightfull hearts . For truth will trie it selfe , at length with honest fame : When that the spightfull elfe , shall hide his head for shame ▪ Spight is a spightfull sin , with falshood to preuaile , A spightfull fained friend , hath poyson in his tayle . Spight spies out spightfull wayes , a true man to deface , And laughs when he decayes , such is his spightfull grace . Yet speake out spight and spare not , to spend thy spight dispatch , For all thy spight I care not , nor for no spightfull wratch . For when thy spight is spent , and truth shall come in place : Then shame thy selfe shall shent , and shew thy shamefull face . For truth shall still prevaile , in spight of spights ill minde : Though spight spightfull ▪ rayles , as curres that bite behinde . God sendes them all mis-chance , that spends such spightfull drosse , With falshood to advance , themselues with others losse . For spight I little care , let spight spie out his worst : And make of spight no spare , for in truth will I trust . Sith truth did never faile , at length for his defence : Against wrong to prevaile , for all his false pretence . Vse falshood they that list , in earnest or in gaine : A false man never mist , for falshood ●o haue shame . A sorrowfull song or sonnet , wherin is lamented our miserable estate in this life hunting after vanity . To the tune of Labandalashot . TO view the state of mans vnrest , I muse oft times in mournfull brest : What causeth him by sundry wayes , to seeke for worldly pelfe and praise . What hope , what helpe , what tried trust , what ioy or stay in things vniust , What sureance haue we here to bide ? we come and goe as doth the tide : And yet we take felicitie , to loue this worldly vanitie . How many mischiefes may befall , vpon thy head O man mortall ? When thou in ioy and iollitie , doest little thinke of miserie . Great heapes of heavie harmefull haps , doth lucklesly light in our laps : The snatching snare of death is spread , and man on so daine is strooke dead : Yea tract of time doth plainly try , this world to be but vanitie . O wicked Diues man of mold , that hadst all pleasures twentie fold : Th' abuse thereof doth record beare , that thou wouldst not impart nor spare One farthing to the fatherlesse , nor needie neighbors in distresse : Can riches bring thee backe againe , out of this place of plunging paine : Where thou in woefull waues must lie , bereft of worldly vanitie . My mind is much dismayd to see both high and low of each degree : How cunningly their parts they play , as though this world should last for aye : The king in higher place would sit : the subiect thinkes himselfe most fit , To rule and raigne in regall state that in the sight of small and great , He may be seene to sit on hie amidst this worldly vanitie . All good advise and counsell graue , which we in memory should haue , Is cast into oblivion and cleane forgot of eueryman , Examples rare of Gods iudgement ▪ will not procure vs to repent : His benefits we doe abuse , his sacred word we doe refuse , His mercies powred plenteously , we doe reiect for vanitie . Such lawlesse Lawyers some there be , that plea des on both sides as wee see : For many makes the matter sure , and maister Mendax will procure , That you shall be dispatcht with speed : if you can helpe him at his need : These prating parasites God knowes , which in the silly sheepe-skin goes : Deceiueth men by flatterie , and all for worldly vanitie . Prepend the life of merchants eke , how ventrously at sea they seeke , For their advantage many miles , and then with sundry worldly wiles : The simple sort they doe deceiue , and so the web of sin thy weaue : For that with othes and count'nance made , the country people they perswade : All ware is good of honestie , when it is worse then vanitie . If we would thinke vpon our state , and in our selues be at debate : A remedie there might be found , to beat our sinnes vnto the ground , But we in wantonnesse doe spend , our life and liuings to the end : And hauocke makes such wast and spoyle , that Lazers poore doe starue the while : Instead of hospitalitie , is Bacchus bankets of gluttonie . Could swinish Sodom liue more ill , and be so bent to wanton will : Or could Gommorra truly say , that we liue not so ill as they , If we be iudge our selues herein , yet must we looke to sinke for sinne : Our carelesse life calls to the Lord , for vengeance great of fire and sword : We haue no care to liue godly , but to delight in vanitie . From friends to flatterers we come , from God to godlesnesse we runne : Of whoredome now is nothing made , and drunkennnsse is no ill trade . We iest it out when we defame , our neighbours nothing worthy blame Vpon suspect reuenge we will , what so we doe it is not ill : To beare false witnesse wrongfully , some are content for vanitie . Of sacred scriptures we will none , for we can read the same at home : Of ministers we haue no care , we doe deride them here and there : We loathe their learned exhortations , which should be for our owne saluations , Such like reprochfull words some vse , Gods messengers for to abuse : For they reprooue their iollitie , and say it is but vanitie . Refraine the santasies deere friends , aske mercy for your former sinnes Accompt this world to be but lent , praise God and alwayes be content : His benefits both great and small , we must giue reckning for them all : Our time is short right well we know , and none is sure when he shall goe : With speed then let 's prepare to die , for sure this word is vanitie . Death is the end of mortall life , and death doth cease all worldly strife : He bridles vp the brainsicke foole , and doth dispute in fancies schoole , Where dainty damsels he doth meet , and laps them all in shrowding sheet : All Adams amorous impes beside , which decke them selues in pomp & pride : With vgly face most tufully , he takes them from their vanity . If I might moue the minde of man. onely in heart to way and scan : How I haue now in verse displaid , nothing but truth in that is sayd . Repentance sure with teares would call , helpe Lord forgiue thy people all : O guide our steps still with thy word , deliuer us from euill good Lord , Inflame our hartes with ioyes on hie , so shall we hate all vanitie . In this song we are put in mind of our fraile and weake estate , and we are taught how to lull and bring asleepe our affections that we may goe to God. To the tune of the 15. Psalme . SIng lullaby as women doe , wherewith they bring their babes to rest ▪ And lulaby can I sing too , as womanly as can the best . With lulaby the child they still , with sugred songs they sing out shrill : Such wanton babes God knowes have I , that must be stild with lulaby . First lulaby my youthfull yeares , it is now time to goe to bed : For crooked age and hoarie haires , haue wonne the haven in my head . With lulaby then youth be still , with lulaby subdue thy will : Sith courage quailes and comes behind , goe sleepe and so beguile thy mind . Next lulaby my wanton playes , let reasons rule restraine thy thought : Since that I finde by sundry wayes , how deere thou hast thy sporting bought ▪ With lulaby take thou thine ease , with lulaby thy dumps appease : Blest is that wight which ere he die , doth sing aright this lulaby . Now lulaby my gasing eyes , that wonted were to glance apace , For every glasse may now suffice , to shew the furrowes in my face . With lulaby then winke a while , with lulaby thy lookes beguile : Let no faire face nor beauty bright , entice thee vnto vaine delight . And lulaby my body eke , which once was clad in trim attire Warme furs to cloth thee now goe seeke , in chayer keepe thee by the fire . And lulaby let some man sing , while thou to God doest make reckning : Prepare thy selfe alwayes to dye , forget not this my lulaby . With lulably then bring asleepe , dispaire which commeth by mistrust : And Sathans doubts which faine would creep into our hearts that are but dust . Put confidence in Gods mercy , and euermore sing lulaby : Commit thy selfe to Christ alone , with him to ioy when life is gone . Last lulaby in graue we make , amidst the greedy wormes in clay : Vntill that Christ accompt shall take , of euery one at the last day . Wherefore let vs sing lulaby , till all his sinnes sleepe quietly : And then to God make hast away , in heauen with him to liue for aye . The lamentable mone of a sorrowfull soule . IN trouble thus I heard one cry , Vpon his knees with weeping eye , Saying , O whither should I flie , Where might I wish my selfe to be , That God take no account of me . For why my sinnes are growne so great , That if I come to iudgement seat , In vaine it is for to intreat , A place therefore to hide me in , I craue by reason of my sinne . If in the heauens I seeke to be , There must I needes be seene of thee , In hell is no defence for me , Thy presence fills each place I know , In heauen aboue and earth below , If I had wings at will to flie , Beyond the seas that farthest lie : Yet there thy hand and power is nie , To bind and bring me backe againe : In place where I should still remaine . Thou doest possesse me every whit , My heart my raines my head my wit , My sinewes that my joynts doe knit , Thou broughtst me from my mothers womb , And thou shalt raise me from my tomb . Thy passing power thy workes declare , Thy threats shew what thy terrors are , Thou seest all secrets every where , My soule therefore that is in woe , Alas then whether shall it goe ? As I was in this great distresse , One spake and sayd to me doubtlesse : Despaire not man through heavinesse , For God delighteth not to see , The death of sinners credit me . By faith on these words I tooke hold , And yet I durst not be too bold , But tremblingly as one acold , I prayd and gaue God thankes withall : For comfort in such wo full thrall . And thus I was received well , As one releast from paines of hell , My horror sure no tongue can tell , Those pinching paines that I did feele : Would surely breake an heart of steele . A Christian promise then made I , And vow'd a vow to God on hie , That from henceforth continually , His faithfull servant I will be : Which to performe Christ strengthen me . You sinners obstinate and ill , That daily doe resist Gods will , Giue eare now to my crying shrill . Amend your liues while you haue space , Or else you are in wofull case . For our good King now let us pray , The Lord preserue him night and day : His counsell eke God keepe for aye , This Realme good Lord saue and defend , From euery foe to the worlds end . A ditty declaring the fervent desire of a christian soule . To the tune of , O Lord of whom I doe depend . SWeete Iesus who shall giue me wings . of pure and perfect loue : That I may mount from earthly things , and rest with thee aboue . For heere beneath I flie about , in weake and weary case : Like to the Doue that Noe sent out , which found no resting place . Euen thou O Iesus by thy power , must giue me wings to flie : Else shall I neuer know thy lure , to stoope obediently . Ne can I rise off from the fist , of worldly pleasures vaine But stubbornely thy will resist , to mine eternall paine . My wearie wings sweete Iesus marke , and grant me my request : Put forth thy hand out of thine Arke , and take me to thy rest . For sure with thee are endlesse ioyes , and no man there laments : But here with vs are great annoyes , whereof each one repents . In heauen thy Saints doe sing to thee , without all strife and feare : But we on earth at variance be , and subiect much to care . Deggerly conceipts and base , O toyes of deepe contempt : From which sweet Iesus by thy grace , my silly soule exempt . For I have learn'd to loath those things , wherein I did delight : And unto thee the King of kings , I come with all my might : Craving a place with thy great host , where I may sing alwayes : To Father , Sonne , and holy Ghost , all honour laud and praise . Two most excellent songs or Ditties , made by Queene Elizabeth , as it is credibly reported ( and as it is very likely by some words in it ) in the yeare 1588 When the Spaniard came to possesse this land and is in manner of a prayer to God. DEliver me O Lord my God , from all my foes that be : And eke defend all Christian soules , that put their trust in thee . Preserve us now and evermore , from all the wicked traine , Who long and thirst for Christians bloud , and neuer will refraine . Mine enemies O Lord be strong and thou the same dost know : And that without offence in me , they seeke mine ouerthrow . My hope and helpe in all distresse , hath euer beene in thee : And thou , O Lord , of thy goodnesse , didst still deliuer me . Come now and end this strife likewise , the cause is wholly thine : Wherfore to thee my selfe and suite , I wholly doe resigne . The other song of Queene Elizabeth made in manner of a thankes giuing to God for her and our deliverance from the inuincible Nauie of the Spaniard ( as he termed it ) which thanks and praise was performed at Saint Pauls crosse in London . LOoke and bow downe thine eare O Lord , from thy bright spheare behold and see Thy handmaid and thy handy worke , among thy Priests offring to thee . Ecco's resounding vp the skies : my selfe and scepter sacrifice , My soule ascend his holy place , ascribe him strength , and sing him prayse : For hee restraineth Princes spirits , and hath wrought wonders in our dayes . He made the windes and waters rise : and did destroy mine enemies . This Iacobs head , this Israels God , the fiery , piller and the cloud : Which kept the Saints from Pharoahs rod , and drencht the honour of the proud : He hath preserued now in loue , the soule of me his turtle doue . A Carroll for Christmas day , To the tune of Rogeero . VVE come to sing of Christ our King , According to the time , Therefore prepare and giue good eare , Let hearts and all incline . Divinitie our cheife Story , which speakes of mans Saluation : Shewes that the Lord by his pure word , made all good by creation . Mankind did beare Gods Image faire , the creatures all were blest : Then sathans evill made him a divell , and he gave man small rest . But tempted him by Eva's sinne , till Paradice was gone : Thus they and we were left you see ▪ in fearefull state each one . Then God above in tender love , to men that was but dead : Said that indeed the womans seed , should breake the Serpents head . To Abraham to Isaack then , to Iacob , and the Iewes : A covenant sure aye to endure , God made of this good newes . Before their eyes in Sacrifice , our Saviour was displayd , In figure , types and other rites : on Altar he was laid . To Priests , to Kings were shew'd these things to Prophets and the rest : Who did assure that Virgin pure , should beare this heavenly guest , Realmes now in peace all warres did cease Iohn Baptist came to preach : And he likewise did some baptize , that heard when he did teach . The time full come God sent his Sonne , in shape of sinfull flesh : Thus God and man one Christ became , our soules for to refresh . Angels did bring newes of this thing , to Shepheards in the night : To whom they said be not afraid , at this so heavenly sight . But goe your way and make no stay , Christ is at Bethelem : Behold him there borne poore and bare , for sinne of mortall men . Then gloriously from heaven hie , the Angels they did sing : Praise to Gods name , peace without blame , on earth to men living . Shepheards did goe and found it so , as Angels had foretold : Christ meekly lay swadled in hay , within the stable cold . This child he is our soules chiefe blisse ▪ our tree of life and all . Our Abell slaine our Isaack plaine , our Ioseph left in thrall . Our paschall lambe that hether came , for his deere Spouse to die , Our Manna sweet our Rocke so deepe , our Arke of Sanctuarie . Our mercy Seate our altar great , ou Lampe and lauor faire , Our priest our King and euery thing , that we might not despaire . What thankes and praise in all our daies , ought we and ours to giue , Vnto Gods name that wrought the same , Long time ere man did liue . This is the day of our great ioye , if we will ioy therein : And not assigne this blessed time , to vanitie and sinne . But euermore in vertues store , to spend our daies aright , Which God grant vs through Christ Iesus , to doe with all our might . Another Carroll for Christmas day : made as if it were spoken by Christ to Adam and his posteritie . REmember O thou man , O thou man , O thou man Remember O thou man , thy time mis-spent , Remember O thou man how thou camst to me than , And I did what I can , therefore repent . Remember Adams fall , O thou man , O thou man , Remember Adams fall from heaven to hell : Remember Adams fall , how we were condemn'd all To hell perpetuall there for to dwell . Remember Gods goodnes O thou man O thou man Remember Gods goodnes , and promise made , Remember Gods goodnes , his son should come doubt lesse Our faults for to redresse , bee not afraide . The Angels all did sing , O thou man ; O thou man , The Angels all did sing on the Shepheards hill , The Angels all did sing praise to our heauenly king , And peace to man living with a good will. The Shepheards amazed was , O thou man , O thou man The Shepheards amazed was to heare Angels sing . The Shepheards amazed was , how that should come to passe That Christ our Mesias should be our King. To Bethelem do they goe , O thou man , O thou man To Bethelem doe they goe these Shepheards three , To Bethelem doe they goe , to see if that were so , That Christ were borne or no to set us free . As the Angels before did say , O thou man , O thou man , As the Angels before did say it came to passe : As the angels before did say , they foūd the babe wher it lay , In manger wrapped in hay , so poore it was ▪ Give thanks to God alway , O thou man , O thou man Give thankes to God alway with hearts most jolly , Give thanks to God alway for this most joyfull day , Let all men sing and say , Holy , Holy , Holy. A Carroll for S. Stephens day . The holding of the same . O Lord our God poure downe thy grace , and holy Spirit from heauen : That we may celebrate aright , Christs birth as did Saint Stephen . The Dittie it selfe . When Iesus Christ ascended was , into the heavens hie : His twelve Apostles spent much time , in praying earnestly . And when the holy Ghost was sent , they preached bold by skill : The word of God in every place , according to his will. The number of the Church increas'd , and grew exceedingly : So that the Apostles lacked helpe , in that their ministrie . Wherefore they chose seuen worthy men , of good report and fame : That tooke the almes vp for the poore , the blind , the halt , and lame . Saint Stephen that worthy Martyr he , was one of them they chose : A man full of the holy Ghost , against whom there arose . A proud sect of the Libertines , that did enuie him sore : Still seeking him to persecute , that he should speake no more . They hyred some to sweare and say , that Stephen spake blasphemie : Against the Lord and Moses law , for which he ought to die . Then to the Counsell he was brought , to purge him of that crime : Which thing he did most worthily , before them at that time . When they had heard these words and saw , he feared not the chiefe : Their hearts for anger burst and they , gnasht on him with their teeth . They gaue a shout with voyces loud , and lead him straight away : Then did they stone him unto death , yet he for them did pray . O Lord forgiue their sinne ( quoth he ) and doe my soule still keepe : Vpon his knees he prayed thus , and so did fall a sleepe . Such patience grant to us ( O Lord ) and eke such constancie , When for thy truth or otherwise , we shall be brought to die . A Carroll for Saint Iohns day . The holding of the same . BEfore the Lord now let vs sing , with all the ioy we can : That we may rightly celebrate , Christs birth with good Sainr Iohn . The Carroll it selfe . According to Gods promise made , in mercy to Mankind , Christ Iesus came into the world , as we in Scripture find . Of whom the Prophets prophecied , long time ere he was sent : That he should be a Sauiour , to all that doe repent . Our Sauiour Christ both God and man , when these things ended were : And he had led his life on earth , the space of thirtie yeere . He did begin to call the twelue , and taught them earnestly : To preach his fathers will in all . the Regions farre and nie . And as he walked by the Sea , he saw both Iames and Iohn : The sonnes of simple Zebedie , who was a fisher-man , Christ called them and they forthwith , obeyed him and came : Wherefore Apostles they were made , to preach still in his name . Saint Iohn was borne by mothers side , of great and royall stocke : Though he were once a fisher-man ▪ and after fed Christs flocke . He came of Mary Sallome , of Davids braunch most deere , And Sister to the Virgin pure , that bare our Saviour deere . The words of this Euangelist , hath sounded euery where : Vnto the comfort of all those , that serue the Lord in feare ▪ Wherefore let vs with cheerefull hearts ▪ sing prayses to Gods name : And in our Christian life like John , still imitate the same . FINIS . A Carroll for Innocents Day . The holding of the Carroll . VVEeping & mourning there was heard in Rama did complaine : That wofull woman Rachel shee , her children they were slaine . The words of the Carroll it selfe . When that th' eternall Sonne of God , by providence diuine , Into this sinfull world did come , mankind for to redeeme . Then Bethelem Iuda thought her selfe , thrise happy and thrise blest : That shee was found a worthy place , to lodge that heauenly guest . Wise-men there came from the East parts , to worship this yong King , Farre they had seene his starre appeare : which did foretell this thing . VVhen Herod heard of this strange newes , O he was troubled sore : And all Hierusalem with him , they were in an vprore . He called the Priests and asked them , where this great King should be : They answered at Bethelem , if he would search and see . In secret then did Herod call , the wise men vnto him : To know what time the starr appeared , of this the new borne king . And when he knew the certaintie , he bid the wisemen goe , And bring him word that he might come , and worship him also . But in a dreame God warned them , the King not to obey : Wherefore as they returned home , they went another way . When Herod knew of this he said , this yong King I will quaile : Ten thousand for his sake shall die : with blood I will prevaile . The Infants young of two yeares old , by Herods campe were slaine : Their guiltlesse soules God hath receiu'd in Heauen with him to raigne . To Ioseph then an Angell spake , in sleepe as we may read : Saying take Mary and the child , and hast away with speede . To Nazareth then was Iesus brought and there he nursed was : Vntill such time as he was cal'd , vnto an other place . A Carroll for New yeares day setting out vnto vs the true circumcision of the heart , with out the which the circumcision of the outward members was of none effect . To the tune of any ordinary Psalme . REioyce we in the Lord our God , for this ioyfull new yeare : And let our holinesse of life , from day today appeare . The law of Circumcision now , we humbly call to minde : Yeelding most hearty thanks therefore , to God that is so kind . He made his sonne our sauiour Christ , obedient to the law : For vs that disobedient were , and would not liue in awe . Not to the end we should abide , in sin as heretofore : But that we might repent and pray , henceforth to sinne no more . This law of circumcision first , God gaue to Abraham And to the fathers euery one long time before Christ came . As we haue Baptisme now in vse , so did they hold and keepe ▪ This ordinance which was a signe , betweene God and his sheepe . The badge , the marke , the Sacrament , whereby all men did know : They were his chosen people then , and he their God also . The eight day after that their sonnes , into the world were borne . The Priests did circumcise them all , or else thy were forlorne . The foreskinne of their privie parts , with sharpe knife they did pare : And cald the children by that name , which then was given there . The women children were contain'd , vnder the males each one : Wherefore they gaue them not the signe , of circumcision . This signified and did set forth , unto the peoples view : The Circumcision of the heart , in all Gods children true , And this the Lord did oft recite , by all his prophets then : And in like sort by Preachers now , he shewes it to all men , That God may haue his honour due , and euery man his owne , That Iustice may be ministred , to make the truth well knowne . That helpe may still be granted to , the blinde the halt and lame : The prisoners that afflicted are , for Christ his truth and name . Then shall we tightly hold and keepe ▪ this day cal'd New-yeares day : By putting euill out of our hands , the which God grant we may . To whom be honour , laud , and praise , from whom be given grace : To vs that we may magnifie , his name in euery place . The father , Sonne , and holy Ghost , that euer loued vs deere : Increase true amitie in vs , and send a good new yeere . A Carroll for Twelfe day . On the Feast of the Epiphanie . The holding of the Carroll . CHrist manifested in the flesh , to Iewes and Gentiles all : Still shew himselfe to vs and ours , when we doe cry and call . The Carroll it selfe . This feast of Christs Epiphanie , or open setting out : Vnto beleeving Gentiles all , to put vs out of doubt . That he the God and Sauiour is , of Iewes and Gentiles too : And makes one people of them both , which none but he could doe . He now saluted is of kings . of Magies sage and wise : To Easterne Aethiopians , his starre did now arise . This starre it brought them to our Starre , in dawning of the day : I meane to Christ whose gospell bright , driues all darke clouds away . They offer first to him fine gold , to shew he is a King : They gaue him Frankincense , and Mirrh , which notes some other thing . That he was man and that he had , a sacrifice to giue : To God for all beleeuing soules , so long as men shall liue . Our spirituall King he is to rule , our Priest and sacrifice , Our Prophet for to teach vs all , till we be heauenly wise . O Lord giue grace to vs therefore , to yeeld obedience : To thee , and to thy holy Word , with all due reuerence . So shall we reape the fruits thereof , in heauen an other day : When we with God and Christ shall raigne ▪ in euerlasting ioy . Vnto which ioy he bring vs all ▪ that are of his elect ▪ And now accept of this our prayse , with mercifull respect . FINIS . A song reprouing Papistes for the Gunne-powder treason , and of our ioy and thankesgiving for our deliverance from that danger and all others . REioyce England and ioy in him , that ioyes each Christian heart , With songs of prayses neuer linne , to laud him for your part , Oh set , oh sing , and sweetly play , Gods workes in verse and prose : Declare and shew from day to day , how he hath flaine our foes . Exalt Gods goodnes to this land , and to our late deare Queene : That worthy Ladie dead and gone in heauen still , to be seene . And now King Iames succeeds in place , these kingdomes for to sway : God graunt that his posteritie , may doe the like for aye . As troubles doe abide all men , so much more godly Kings : That doe the gospel still maintaine , and all the fruit it brings , King Iames hath oft in dangers beene , in Scotland as we know : In England at his comming in , he wanted not his foe . Yet God in wondrous wise did saue , and well deliver him : Yea made the Traytors to bewray , their owne intended sinne . The cheife of them had their reward , at Winchester that Cittie , When on some others of their crue , the King shewed royall pittie . But Sathan and his Impes sleepe not , new plots they still devise : As this which was of Gunpowder , apparant to our eyes : This hellish worke this strange deuise , surpassing all the rest : Hath left a forehead marke for them , that such we should detest . These wanted neither friends nor coyne , on euery side the seas : To bring this busines to passe , the Papistes hearts to please . And if some of their multitude , did neuer know of it : Which of them would refuse to haue , what others wonne by wit. All things with secrecie was kept , and they were readie now : To finish vp with stroke of strokes , their foule and wicked vow . But God bewrayed it or their houre , yea they one letter sent : Which op'ned all to King and state , and voyd was their intent . It was a woefull thing they sought , the cutting off of all : A bringing of this noble land , to beggery and thrall . I am astonisht many times , to thinke on the invention : And muse what men on earth there be , that like of this intention . Poore Protestants so cald in scorne ▪ by Papists day and night : You neuer went with Massacres , the Papists to despight . For if you had then Papists throates ▪ like trumpets shrill would be : To rayle and write in euery place , till your heart bloods they see . In blood at first they founded were ▪ by blood thy liue and thriue : In blood they also grounded are ▪ devouring men aliue . Yet once they must confounded be , in Gods great haruest day : Wherefore fly Romish Babylon , with all the speed you may . In the meane time let Christians striue ▪ to serue the Lord on hie : Remembring each deliverance , with thankes continually . Lord looke on vs regard and heare ▪ our prayers and our praise , And let our thankes appeare in life , abhorring sinfull wayes . Amen . A Game at Chesse with the Papists , or a Ditty made on that game against them and their evill practises . YE Papists that can play at Chesse , and guide your men in battell ray : Your doings still doe well expresse , that you doe hope to haue a day . And yet as close as you can play , to check the King and all his state : It is foreseene to your decay , that check without neck of force is mate . Your pelting paune you thrust before , to make the way to worke your feate : Your knights and rookes you haue in store : your Queene and Bishop keepe their seat . Your king cat holly we may say , in Brittanie he would rule the state : No God nor man must say him nay , yet check without neck of force is mate . Your practise old to us well knowne , doth vrge the wise and godly race : Well to provide and saue their owne , and eke your treasons to deface . Although your paunes doe check his grace , the knights with neck set them agate , And did well waigh in time and place , that check without necke of force is mate . Your Iugling gins and sleights most sly , are no more seene then nose on face : And that in the'nd ye shall well try , when you doe hope they shall take place , You shall be forc't to runne apace , for that we watch early and late : Well to provide and haue in chase , that check without neck of force is mate ▪ The check that you to vs haue sent , to necke most easly are alwayes : All though to checking you are bent , and we by necking win the praise . Now check saith Parsons and there staies , now neck saith Sutlife to thy pate : And gaue to them without delay , a passing pure and plaine checke mate . Although your learning will not serue , to giue to vs a checke indeed : From old practise you doe not swarue , your bloody hearts to fat and feed . Your powder plot makes all your seed , to be abhor'd of Church and state , For that there by all at one blow : you meant to vs , check and check mate . O Lord for Iesus Christ his sake , keepe cleane and pure thy church to th' end That we by faith may vndertake , all truth in thee to comprehend . Our King and realmes good Lord defend , against all those that would vs check : That we on thee may so depend : to haue alwayes a speedy neck . Amen . An exhortation to praise God for that worthy science and skill of Musick and for the great masters of the Art and their worthy workes . PRaise God in whom only is found , the fulnes of all skill : And from whose wisdome floes the streame , of knowledge at his will. Praise him therefore for Musickes art , a science of the seaven , Which cheares the mindes of men on earth ▪ and Ioyes the Saints in heauen . Praise him for Iubal and the rest , that first did find and frame : The ground and principles whereby , we teach and learne the same . Praise him for silver trumpets twaine , that he bad Moses frame : For Israels rising vp to traine , and resting by the same . Praise him for Davids booke of Psalmes , and for the songs of praise , That Solomon did make and write , in his most royall daies . Praise him for Azaph and the rest , whom Dauid set to sing : In presence of the holy Arke , when Solomon was king . Praise him for all the songs and play , left vs by learned men , Who by their studies night and day , did much with inke and pen. Praise him for those that loue this Art , and doe the same maintaine : Rewarding it with willing hart , among the godly traine . Praise him and pray that all abuse , there of may hated be : And that the godly and right vse , may rest in each degree , Praise him and pray that those of skill , may liue in Har-mo-ny : And bring up youth with fauour still : this art to dignifie . Praise him and pray for our good King , his Nobles and the rest : Our Queene the Prince and the off-spring , Lord let them all be blest . Praise him , yea euer sing him praise , on earth most ioyfully : That after death our soules may sing , his praise eternally . Amen . Certaine graces before and after meat , in english meeter very breife & short for children to vse . Grace before meat for poore and rich , made vpon the 4. Petition of the Lords Prayer , and made to the three persons in Trinitie . 1 OVr Father through Christ giue vs , this day our dayly bread : 2 O Christ feed vs by faith in thee , to liue when we are dead . 3 Thou Spirit of truth teach vs to pray , with inward sighes and grones : That both the Father and the Sonne , may heare our plaints and mones . O holy and blessed Trinitie , one God in persons three : Peserue thy church our king & realme , and let vs come to thee . Amen . Grace after meat for the rich and wealthie of of the world . AS thou hast fed our bodies Lord , so feed our soules likewise : And make vs mindfull of the poore , as riches doe arise . Increase thy flocke preserue our King , thy grace and peace vs send : That we may lead a faithfull life , and make a godly end . Amen . Grace before meat . O Lord our God celestiall , blesse this our food materiall : That we may rightly vse the same , vnto the honor of thy name . Thy Church Lord saue , our King defend , grant vs thy Gospell to the end . Amen . Grace after meate . O Gracious God we magnifie , thy glorious name and maiestie : For all thy blessings given to vs , through thy deare sonne our Lord Iesus . Thy Church , our King , & Queene Lord saue , the Prince and all the friends we haue . Amen . Grace before meat . THou Lord that didst create all things , for mankind to enioy : And didst ordaine man for thy selfe , to serue thee night and day . O blesse these meates and drinkes of ours , that we thy name may please : With earthly , giue vs heauenly food , both now and all our dayes . Continue all thy goodnesse Lord , and still preserue our King : The Queene & Prince , and these our realmes , aboue all earthly things . Amen . Grace after meate , for poore people . ON Father , Sonne , and holy Ghost , depend we euermore : God sanctifie our state to vs , and still increase our store . O teach vs Lord in time of need , to trust in thee , and pray : That whether we abound or want , thou Lord maist be our stay . Thy whole and universall Church , Lord Jesus still defend : And to all troubles of the same Lord ever put an end . Amen . A Prayer for the King and State. O Eternall God , most mighty Lord and our heavenly Father in Iesus Christ King of Kings , and Lord of all things , 〈◊〉 whom kings of the earth doe raigne and 〈◊〉 men doe beare sway both in Church and common weale . O Lord our God we beseech thee in the highest degree , unto our dread Soveraigne Lord King Charles , to his honorable counsell , to his Clergie , Nobilitie , Gentry , Magistrates & commonaltie , to the two universities , to the professors of both lawes to every man in his honest , just , & lawful calling , that they and every one of them may doe their duty as carefully , godly , honestly conscionably , and in thy feare ( O Lord ) as they will answer it to thee in the great day of account , 
A62987	----	Miscellanea sacra, or, Poems on divine & moral subjects collected by N. Tate ... Tate, Nahum, 1652-1715. 1696 Approx. 137 KB of XML-encoded text transcribed from 87 1-bit group-IV TIFF page images. Text Creation Partnership, Ann Arbor, MI ; Oxford (UK) : 2003-01 (EEBO-TCP Phase 1). A62987 Wing T195 ESTC R22340 12741827 ocm 12741827 93150 This keyboarded and encoded edition of the work described above is co-owned by the institutions providing financial support to the Early English Books Online Text Creation Partnership. This Phase I text is available for reuse, according to the terms of Creative Commons 0 1.0 Universal . The text can be copied, modified, distributed and performed, even for commercial purposes, all without asking permission. Early English books online. (EEBO-TCP ; phase 1, no. A62987) Transcribed from: (Early English Books Online ; image set 93150) Images scanned from microfilm: (Early English books, 1641-1700 ; 370:4) Miscellanea sacra, or, Poems on divine & moral subjects collected by N. Tate ... Tate, Nahum, 1652-1715. [17], 140, [4] p. Printed for Hen. Playford ..., London : 1696. This was to be an annual miscellany but no more were published. First ed. Cf. BM. Reproduction of original in Union Theological Seminary Library, New York. Created by converting TCP files to TEI P5 using tcp2tei.xsl, TEI @ Oxford. Re-processed by University of Nebraska-Lincoln and Northwestern, with changes to facilitate morpho-syntactic tagging. Gap elements of known extent have been transformed into placeholder characters or elements to simplify the filling in of gaps by user contributors. 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Copies of the texts have been issued variously as SGML (TCP schema; ASCII text with mnemonic sdata character entities); displayable XML (TCP schema; characters represented either as UTF-8 Unicode or text strings within braces); or lossless XML (TEI P5, characters represented either as UTF-8 Unicode or TEI g elements). Keying and markup guidelines are available at the Text Creation Partnership web site . eng Religious poetry, English -- Early modern, 1500-1700. Hymns, English -- Texts. 2002-02 TCP Assigned for keying and markup 2002-03 Aptara Keyed and coded from ProQuest page images 2002-04 TCP Staff (Michigan) Sampled and proofread 2002-04 John Latta Text and markup reviewed and edited 2002-05 pfs Batch review (QC) and XML conversion S Gribelin in : et sculps : Whom have I in Heaven but Thee ? and there is none upon Earth that I desire in comparison of Thee . Psal. 73. ver . 25. Miscellanea Sacra : OR , POEMS ON Divine & Moral SUBJECTS . Collected by N. Tate , Servant to His MAJESTY . 'T is not that which First we Love , But what Dying we approve . Mr. Waller . LONDON : Printed for Hen. Playford in the Temple-Change , in Fleetstreet . MCDXCVI . TO HER ROYAL HIGHNESS The PRINCESS ANNE of DENMARK . MADAM , THE Reformation of Poetry , and Restoring the Muses to the Service of the Temple , is a Glorious Work , and requires a Patroness , whose transcendent Quality and Virtues can give Sanction to what she is pleased to favour . 'T was therefore my Duty as well as Ambition , to present these pious Composures to your Royal Highness's Protection ; which , like an Altar , should only be approach'd with Religious Offerings . A Book design'd for Publick Benefit , cannot want Encouragement from a Princess who declines no Opportunity of doing Good. Piety , Madam , has appear'd in all your Actions and Deportment , with such prevailing Charms , as have engaged many to become her Votaries , even in so deprav'd an Age as This. Your Royal Brest is the Sacred Court where the Graces and Virtues have their respective Stations , and where Charity has her Throne — But Madam , 't would be Presumption for any Pen to attempt your Panegyrick , as it is written in the Souls and Sentiments of All who are Admirers of exemplary and accomplish'd Worth. Although 't is the Transport of pious Minds to Contemplate that exalted State of Glory , Reserv'd for you in the Regions of Eternal Happiness : Yet , Madam , in Pitty to an Age where your Pattern and Presence are so Necessary , Your long and prosperous Continuance Here , is the National Wish , from the Great to the Meanest , and amongst them , the Prayer of , Madam , Your ROYAL HIGHNESS'S most humble , and Obedient Servant , N. Tate . PREFACE . THE Publishing an Annual Miscellany of Poems , on Divine and Moral Subjects , can displease no Persons who have any respect for Virtue ; and She has few profest Enemies . That Religion and Morality are capable of all the Embellishments of Poetry , has been confirmed by the Suffrage and Performance of best Poets in all Ages . 'T is there the Muses breath their native Air. After all their Prodigal persuits of Vanity ; 'T is thither they must come , to recover Strength and Beauty , to appear like Themselves , in a Dress that is suitable to their Quality . Those are only to be accounted legitimate Off-springs of Wit , which are useful to the World , or , at least , Inoffensive . For such Births which the Muse that conceiv'd them cannot look upon with Satisfaction , should be excluded the Favour and Patronage of noble Minds . — Cui non risêre Parentes Nec Deus hunc Mensâ , Dea nec dignata Cubili est . Perhaps there is no Talent or Genius more capable of being serviceable to Mankind , than That of Poetry . But 't is the Misfortune of that generous Soil to be over-run with poysonous Weeds , and thin stockt with wholsome Plants . Otherwise , I had not inserted in this Collection any of my own Essays . Neither will I pretend those from other Hands to be , All of 'em , choicest in their Kind . However , they had , generally , the private Approbation , and many of them the Applause of able Iudges . Some of 'em carry their Sanction in the Names of their Authors ; such as Dr. Jeremy Taylor , Dr. Fuller , Earl of Roscommon , and Others . Several also amongst the Anonymous will approve themselves to come from Eminent Hands . Amongst which the Ladies may have the Entertainment to find , that our Age and Country have produc'd more than One Orinda . In so good a Design , 't is hop'd , the Ingenious will timely supply a second Freight , and Pardon what they think defective in this first Adventure . Youthful Minds will have their Diversions , where Poetry comes in for no small Share . 'T is therefore a Publick Service to furnish them with such as may be instructive , and entertain their Fancy , without viciating their Morals . For which Reason the Encouraging a Book of this Nature is the Interest of all Parents and Masters of Families ; who are best Obey'd , in Both Capacities , when their Children and Servants have a Sense of Piety . Nay , Religious Poetry may be one Means of reclaiming even profligate Persons , by its insinuating Charms , in the Sweetness of its Streins , and Harmony of its Numbers , according to that of our divine Herbert , A Verse may take him who a Sermon flies , And turn Delight into a Sacrifice . If Verse has such Allurements , they will doubtless exert themselves most happily on Divine and Moral Subjects , which naturally excite all the innocent Passions of our Minds . Nothing furnishes the Fancy with more charming Ideas and Imagry . No other Topicks or Occasions suggest such exalted Notions and Sentiments ; nor is any Thing capable of nobler Expression : Which , ( I think ) are all the Requisites a Poet can desire . He will certainly find the Holy Scriptures his best Magazine , of which Writings Mr. Cowley has truly asserted , That They are , already , either the most accomplish'd Pieces of Poetry in the World , or the best Materials for it . POEMS ON DIVINE and MORAL SUBJECTS . A Morning HYMN , by Dr. Fuller , formerly Bishop of Lincoln . THou , wakeful Shepherd that dost Israel keep , Rais'd by thy Goodness from the Bed of sleep , To Thee I offer up this Hymn , As my best Morning Sacrifice ; Like grateful Incense may to Rise , And raise me , with it , from the bed of Sin. And do I Live another day to view ? O! let me with the Day , my Thanks renew , And by its Light , thy righteous Paths persue . Could I redeem the Time I have mispent In sensless Scenes of sinful Merriment ; Such Exemplary Penitence I 'd practise for each past Offence , That ev'n the Innocent Should always wish themselves like me , When with such Crimes they such Repentance see . An Evening HYMN , By Ezr. Simson . ANother Day is past — But can I say , That I have Liv'd , not lost another Day ? For Days and Years , if spent in vain , Can never to Life's Summ amount , 'T is only adding to Death's black Account ; And must be Reckon'd for again . Thou Setting Sun , Art Witness how I 've been employ'd , If One good Action I have done Worthy the Light that I this Day enjoy'd ; Thou seest my conscious Fears , Therefore , kind Planet , let thy Ev'ning Beams , Before they sink in Western Streams , Set first in my Repenting Tears That when thy Lustre is withdrawn From these benighted Eyes , To chear my Soul a fairer Dawn And brighter Sun of Righteousness may Rise : The Sun , who only can send forth a Ray , That makes the Morning to Eternal Day . INNOCENCE : Or the Inestimable Gemm . Written by a Young Lady . WHat 's Innocence ? — A brighter Gemm , Than e'er enricht a Diadem : A Gemm that bears a Price so high , As Crowns and Empires cannot Buy . Yet by the poorest Mortal's Brest This matchless Treasure is possest , A Treasure not like other Wealth , That 's liable to Fraud or Stealth ; No Soul of this can be bereft By open Force , or secret Theft ; Safe in it's Cabinet 't will stay , Till by the Owner thrown away . O dismal Bargain , when for Sin we sell This Gemm ! 'T is Life for Death , and Heav'n for Hell. By Dr. Fuller LOrd what is Man , lost Man , that thou shou'd'st be So mindful of him , that the Son of God Should quit his Glory , his Divine Abode , To be on Earth a poor Afflicted Man ? The Deity contracted to a Span ! And that for me ( O wondrous Love ) for me ! Reveal , ye glorious Spirits , when ye knew The way the Son of God took to renew Lost Man , Your vacant Places to supply , Blest Spirits tell , Which did Excel , Which was more prevalent , Your Joy , or your Astonishment ? That for a Worm , a God should Dye ! Oh! for a Quill drawn from your Wing , To write the Praises of th' Eternal Love , Oh! for a Voice , like Yours , to sing That Anthem here , which once you sung Above . By the same Hand . IN the black dismal Dungeon of Despair , Pin'd with a Tormenting Care , Wrackt with my Fears , Drown'd in my Tears , With dreadful Expectation of my Doom , And certain horrid Judgments soon to come , Lord , here I lie , Lost to all hope of Liberty , Hence never to remove , But by a Miracle of Love , Which I scarce dare to hope , much less expect , Being guilty of so great , so long Neglect . Fool , that I was , worthy a sharper Rod , To slight thy Courtings , O my God! For thou didst Woo , Intreat and Grieve , Didst beg me to be happy and to Live , But I would not , I chose to dwell With Death , too far from thee , too near to Hell But is there no Redemption , no Relief ? Thou sav'st a Murd'rer and a Thief . Thy Mercy Lord once more advance , And give , O give me such a Glance As Peter had ; thy sweet kind Chiding Look Will change my Heart , as it did melt that Rock ; Look on me , Iesu , as thou didst on him , 'T is more than to Create , thus to Redeem . By the same Hand . HOw have I stray'd , my God! where have I been , Since first I wander'd in the maze of Sin ? Lord I have been I know not where , So intricate Youths Follies are : Age hath its Labyrinths , and Mazes too , But neither hath a wise returning Clue . Thy Look , thy Call to me Shall my far better Ariadne be . Hark , I hear my Shepherd call away , And in a kind complaining Accent , say , Why does my Soul thus stray ? O blessed Voice , That prompts me to new Choice ! And fain , dear Shepherd , would I come , But I can find no Track To lead me back ; And if I still go on , I am undone ! 'T is thou , O Lord , must bring me home , Or , point me out , at least , the way , For ah ! poor Souls have thousand ways to stray , Yet to return , alas , but One. HYMN . OH ! that mine Eyes wou'd melt into a Flood , That I might plunge in Tears for Thee , As thou didst Swim in Blood to ransom me . Oh! that this fleshly Limbeck would begin To drop a Tear for every Sin ! See how his Arms are spread , To entertain Death's welcome Bands ; Behold his bowing Head , His bleeding Hands ! His oft repeated Stripes , his wounded Side ! Hark how he Groans , remember how he Cry'd ; The very Heavens put weeds of Mourning on , The solid Rocks in sunder rent ; And yet this Heart , this Stone , could not relent . Hard-hearted Man , to weep alone deny'd ; Hard-hearted Man , for whom alone he Dy'd . The Passing-Bell . COme honest Sexton , take thy Spade , And let my Grave be quickly made : Thou still art ready for the Dead , Like a kind Host , to make my Bed. I now am come to be thy Guest , Let me in some Dark Lodging rest , For I am weary , full of pain , And of my Pilgrimage complain . On Heavens Decree I waiting lye , And all my wishes are to dye . Hark I hear my Passing-Bell , Farewel , my loving Friends , Farewel ; 2. Make my cold Bed ( good Sexton ) deep , That my poor Bones may safely sleep ; Until that sad and joyful Day , When from Above a Voice shall say , Wake all ye Dead , lift up your Eyes , The Great Creator bids you Rise . Then do I hope , among the Just , To shake off this Polluted Dust ; And with new Robes of Glory drest , To have access among the Blest . Hark I hear my Passing-Bell , Farewel my loving Friends , Farewel . JOB's CVRSE . By Dr. JEREMY TAYLOR . LEt the Night perish , Cursed be the Morn Wherein 't was said there is a Man-Child born . Let not the Lord regard that Day , but shroud It 's fatal Glory in some sullen Cloud . May the dark shades of an Eternal Night Exclude the least kind beam of dawning Light , Let unknown Babes as in the Womb they lye , If it be mention'd , give a Groan and Dye . No sounds of Joy therein shall charm the Ear , No Sun , no Moon , no Twi-light Stars appear , But a thick Vale of gloomy Darkness wear . Why did I not , when first my Mothers Womb Discharg'd me thence , drop down into my Tomb ? Then had I been at quiet : and mine Eyes Had slept and seen no Sorrow ; there the wise And subtil Councillor , the Potentate , Who for themselves built Palaces of State , Lie husht in silence ; there 's no Mid-night Cry Caus'd by Oppressive Tyranny Of Wicked Rulers ; There the Weary cease From Labour , there the Prisoner sleeps in Peace , The Rich , the Poor , the Monarch , and the Slave , Rest undist urb'd , and no Distinction have Within the silent Chambers of the Grave . The Words by a Young Lady . THere 's no disturbance in the Heavens above , And heavenly Souls do nothing else but Love ; No Anger , no Remorse , no Discontent , Can seize a Soul that 's truly Innocent , And aims at nought , but that she may combine With all she finds , like to her self , Divine : And seeing Things in such Confusion hurl'd Does not contend with , but despise the World. A Dialogue between two Penitents . 1 Pt. HArk how the wakeful cheerful Cock The Villagers Astrologer , Clapping his Wings , proclaims the Day , And chides thy Sleep and Night away . 2 Pt. I hear and thank my kind Remembrancer , Flow , flow , my Tears , O when will you begin ? St. Peter's Bird Reproves St. Peter's Sin. 1 P. Complaining Man , hast thou thy Christ deny'd ? 2 Pt. Wo's me , I have done more than Peter did With less Excuse , and many ways beside , Ev'n since my Christ was glorify'd ; And this , alas , too oft , alas , more , more than thrice , As often as I Chose , and Woo'd a Vice , Or brutish Lust ( to be Abhor'd ) Rejected Jesu , my dear Lord. 1 Pt. O my sad Heart ! if that be to deny , None ought to weep more Floods than I ! When to receive into my Heart a Sin , I thrust my Jesu out , and took it in . But Lord , how oft he came , and being deny'd Dy'd ! How dolefully he cry'd , Why dost thou use me thus , who for thee 2 Pt. Methinks , I hear him Call too from the Tree , Ungrateful Wretch , were these Wounds made for Thee , Who both deny'dst me and betray'd me too ? For every wanton Kiss , A very Iudas is , And each malicious Thought a spiteful Iew. 1 Pt. If Sins do now what cruel Iews did then , Wound him afresh and Crucifie again , Then we , alas , have his Tormentors been ; And by each vile deliberate Deed , We make his Wounds afresh to bleed , His Pain as various as our Sin. 2 Pt. True , for my Doubts do bind his Hands , my Pride Does first disrobe him , then deride ; I spit upon him by my Blasphemy , And Scourge him by my Cruelty ; My prophane Tears become the Thorns That pierc'd his Head with Scorns . And my Hypocrisy . 1st . Pt. Stay ! To what prodigeous height our Sins amount ! Ev'ry Unkindness is a Dart , The Spear that wounds his very Heart ! Christ could bear any thing but this ! Both. Since then , the Cause of both our Grief 's the same , Mix we our Tears , for Grief let 's Dye , 'T is just we act our own , who caus'd his Tragedy . Vpon a Quiet Conscience . By K. Charles I. CLose thine Eyes and sleep secure , Thy Soul is safe , thy Body sure ; He that guards thee , he that keeps , Never slumbers never sleeps . A quiet Conscience , in a quiet Breast , Has only Peace , has only Rest : The Musick and the Mirth of Kings , Are out of Tune , unless she sings . Then close thine Eyes in Peace , and rest secure , No sleep so sweet as Thine , no Rest so sure . A Dialogue betwixt Dives and Abraham . D. HElp Father Abraham , help for Mercies sake , Behold my Torments in this burning Lake ; Send Lazarus with Whirlwinds that he may These flames of melting Sulphur fan away . A. What Son of Hell and Darkness dare molest This awful Saint , scarce warm yet on my Breast ? D. 'T is I , great Mammon's equal , one whose lot Alas is only now , — Abr. I know thee not , D. Father , 't is Dives , 't is thy Son , 't is I , Who Purpled ore fed once deliciously . A. And canst thou now his Charity implore Whom thou sawest lately at thy Flinty Door , Begging for Crums , those Crums that fell beside Thy ore-charg'd Table , and was then deny'd ? Vain Soul. D. Some pity take . A. Remember Son Thy Dogs had pity on him , thou hadst none . D. Yet they were mine reliev'd him , O , in lieu , Let him vouchsafe me but a little Dew To cool my Tongue . A. Not the least drop of Grace Can ever enter that forsaken Place . D. Then send him to my Brethren , lest they come To feel the weight of my Eternal Doom . A. They 've Moses and the Prophets . D. True , but they May yet a Summons from the Dead obey . A. If to convert them Sion's Thunder fail , A Summons from the Dead will ne'er prevail . When once Death's fatal Hand has shut the Door , The Gates of Mercy never open more . SOLILOQVY . 1. DEar Saviour , oh ! what ails this Heart ? Sure 't is of Stone , it cannot smart , Nor yet Relent the Death of thee , Whose Death alone could ransom me . Can I behold thy Pains so great , Thine Agony , thy bloudy Sweat , Thy Back with Whips and Scourges torn , Thy Sacred Temples Crown'd with Thorn , Thy Veins and Nerves extended wide , Thy panting Heart , thy bleeding Side ; Thy Hands and Feet nail'd to the Wood , And all thy Body drown'd in Blood ; Canst thou pour forth such Streams for me , And I not drop one Tear for Thee ? 2. Yet tender-hearted I can cry , To see Romantick Heroes dye , And Priam's Fall commands my Eyes , As Great Elias did the Skies ; Nay , a false Fable that can start , And call up Sorrow from my Heart ; A Player too , that dies in jest , Can raise a Tempest in my breast : But here when I should grieve indeed , Nor am I touch'd , nor can I bleed ; Heart ! how I fear by this alone There 's something in me worse than Stone . 3. Behold ! — See how this dismal sight Put the whole World into a fright , The Graves did open , and the Dead , Rose from their Tombs and Marble Bed , Earth did with Anguish shake again , Convulsions felt in ev'ry Vein ; Th' amazed Sun withdrew his light , Transforming Day to darkest Night . The Temple's Vail in twain was Rent , The stony Rocks in sunder went ; The Murtherer did this Death bemoan , And pitying it , forgot his own ! Down stupid stoutness , else 't is true , Th' art worse than Murtherer , worse than Iew ; Lord of thy Mercy work a Wonder , Cleave this obdurate Heart in sunder . PSALM the CIV . By Mr. Tate . Part the First . 1. BLess God , my Soul , thou God alone , Possessest Empire without bounds , With Honour thou art Crown'd , thy Throne Eternal Majesty surrounds . 2. With Light thou dost thy self enrobe , And Glory for a Garment take ; Heaven's Curtains stretcht beyond the Globe , Thy Canopy of State to make . 3. He builds on Liquid Fire , and forms His Palace Chambers in the Skies , The Clouds his Chariot are , and Storms The swift-wing'd Steeds with which he flies . 4. Spirits he made his heavenly Quire , With speed his Orders to fulfil , His Ministers a flaming Fire To execute his dreadful Will. 5 , 6. Earth on her Center fixt he set , Her Face with Waters over-spread , Nor proudest Mountains dar'd as yet To lift above the Waves their head . 7. But when thy Thunder's Voice went forth , The frighted Floods dispers'd away , Engulf'd in Caverns of the Earth , And panting in her Bosom lay . 8. Thence up by secret tracts they creep , And gushing from the Mountains side Through Valleys travel to the Deep , Appointed to receive their Tide . 9. There hast thou fixt the Ocean-bounds , Her threatning Surges to repel , That she no more transgress her mounds , Nor to a second Deluge swell . Part the Second . 10. Yet thence in smaller Parties drawn , The Sea recovers her lost Hills , And starting springs from every Lawn , Surprise the Vales in plenteous Rills . 11. The Ox unyoak'd is thither led , Weary with Labour , faint with Drought , And Asses on wild Mountains bred Have sense to find those Currents out . 12. There shady Trees , from scorching Beams , Yield Mansions to the Feather'd Throng , They drink , and to the bounteous Streams Return the Tribute of their Song . 13. His Rains from Heaven parch'd Hills recruit , That soon transmit the Liquid Store , Till Earth is burthen'd with her Fruit , And Nature's Lap can hold no more . 14. Grass for our Cattle to devour , He makes the self same Soil produce ; And Herbs endu'd with Sovereign Power , For Man that knows their Sovereign Use. 15. With cluster'd Grapes he crowns the Vine Whose Nectar Mortal Cares subdue Gives Oyl that makes our Face to shine , And Bread that wasted Strength renews . Part the Third . 16. The Trees of God , without the Care Or Art of Man , with Sap are fed ; The Mountain Cedar looks as fair , As those in Royal Gardens bred . 17. Safe in the lofty Cedar's Arms The Wanderers o' th' Air may rest : The Hospitable Pine from harms Protects the Stork , her pious Guest . 18. Wild Goats the craggy Rocks ascend , Its towring height their Fortress make , Whose Cells in Labyrinths extend , Where feebler Creatures Refuge take . 19. The Moon 's inconstant Aspect shews The appointed Seasons of the Year ; The Instructed Sun his duty knows , His Hours to Rise , and Disappear . 20 , 21. Darkness he makes the Day to shroud , When Forest Beasts securely stray , Young Lyons Roar their Wants aloud To Providence that sends 'em Prey . 22. They Range all Night on Slaughter bent , Till , summon'd by the Rising Morn , To sculking Dens , with one Consent , The conscious Ravagers return . 23. Forth to the Tillage of his Soil The Husbandman securely goes ; Commencing with the Sun his Toil , With him returns to his repose . 24. How various ( Lord ) they Works are found ? For which thy Wisdom we Adore : The Earth is with thy Treasure Crown'd , Till Nature's Hand can grasp no more . The Fourth Part. 25. But still Thy vast unfathom'd Main Of Wonders a new Scene supplies ; Whose Depths Inhabitants contain Of ev'ry Form , and ev'ry Size . 26. The Gallant Ship there cuts her way , Waited along by gazing Shoals : Leviathan has room to play , And like a Floating Island rowls . 27. These various Troops of Sea and Land In sense of common Want agree ; All wait on Thy dispensing Hand , And have their daily Alms from Thee . 28. They gather what Thy Stores disperse , Without their trouble to provide : Thou op'st thy Hand — the Universe , The Craving World , is all supply'd . 29. Thou for a Moment hid'st thy Face , The num'rous Ranks of Creatures Mourn : Thou tak'st their Breath , — all Nature's Race Forthwith to Mother Dust return . 30. Again , Thou send'st thy Spirit forth , T' inspire the Mass with Vital Seed ; Nature's Restor'd , and Parent Earth Smiles on her New-Created Breed . 31. Thus through successive Ages , stands Firm fix'd thy Providential Care ; Pleas'd with the Works of Thy own Hands , Thou dost the Wastes of Time repair . 32. He darted forth a wrathful Look , The trembling Earth Convulsions felt ; He toucht the Mountains , they did smoke , And Rocks before his Lightning melt . 33 , 34. In praising him , whilst he prolongs My Breath , I will that Breath employ ; And join Devotion to my Songs , Sincere , as is in him my Joy. 35. While Sinners from Earth's Face are hurl'd , My Soul praise thou his Holy Name ; Till , with thy Song , the listning World Join Consort , and his Praise proclaim . The Evening HYMN . NOW that the Sun hath veil'd his Light , And bid the World good Night ; To the soft Bed my Body I dispose , But where shall my Soul repose ? Dear God , even in thy Arms , and can there be Any so sweet Security ! Then to thy Rest , O my Soul , and singing , praise The Mercy that prolongs thy Days . Hallelujah . On our SAVIOUR's Passion . EArth trembled , and Heaven's closing Eye Was loath to see the Lord of Glory Dye ! The Skies were clad in Mourning , & the Sphears Forgot their Harmony ; — The Clouds dropt Tears . Th' ambitious Dead arose to give him Room , And ev'ry Grave op'd wide to be his Tomb. Th' impatient Temple rent her Vale in Two , To teach our Hearts , what our sad Hearts should do . Can sensless Things do This , and shall not I Melt One poor Drop to see my Saviour Dye ! Drill forth my Tears , and trickle One by One , Till you have pierc'd this Heart of Mine , this Stone ! The PENITENT , by Dr. Jeremy Taylor . LOrd I have sinn'd , and the black Number swells To such a dismal Sum , That should my Stony Heart and Eyes , And this whole sinful Trunk a Flood become , And melt to Tears , their drops could not suffice To count my Score , Much less to pay : But Thou , my God , hast Blood in store , Yet , since the Balsom of thy Blood , Although it can , will do no Good , Unless the Wound be cleans'd in Tears before ; Thou in whose sweet , but pensive Face , Laughter cou'd never steal a Place , Teach but my Heart and Eyes To melt away , And then one Drop of Balsom will suffice . The Blessed VIRGIN's EXPOSTULATION , When our Saviour at Twelve Years of Age had withdrawn Himself , Luk. c. 2. v. 42. By N. Tate . TEll me some pitying Angel , quickly say Where does my Soul's sweet Darling stray , In Tygers , or more cruel Herod's Way ? O! rather let his tender Foot-steps press Unguarded through the Wilderness , Where milder Salvages resort ; The Desart's safer than a Tyrant's Court. Why , fairest Object of my Love , Why dost Thou from my longing Eyes remove ? Was it a waking Dream that did foretel Thy wondrous Birth ? No Vision from Above ? Where 's Gabriel now that visited my Cell ? I call — He comes not — flatt'ring Hopes , Farewel . Me Iudah's Daughters once Caress'd , Call'd me of Mother's the most Blest ; Now ( fatal Change ! ) of Mothers , most distress'd ! How shall my Soul its Motions guide , How shall I stem the various Tide , Whilst Faith and Doubt my lab'ring Thoughts divide ? For whilst of thy Dear Sight I am beguil'd , I Trust the God — But oh ! I fear the Child . On Pilate's Exposing our LORD to the Jews , and saying to them , Behold the Man. By Mr. Arwaker . BEhold the Man ! inhuman Pilate ! No ; Who can have Eyes for such a Scene of Woe ? Call the remorseless Crocodile , and see If that can bear such barbarous Cruelty , Shou'd that behold the Out-rage you commit , Its Tears wou'd be no longer counterfeit . Behold the Man ! oh ! you mistake the Name , Behold the Man , behold the God you mean ; No Man for so much Torture cou'd suffice , No Man so Triumph in his Miseries ; He shews himself a God in tyring Thee , And proves by suffering his Divinity . But oh ! that Style the Man must not refuse , Whom Pilate dares , whom Pilate can abuse . While from the Sluces of each open'd Pore Flows a rich Torrent of Redeeming Gore , And on his Head sharp piercing Thornes appear , That Head which Rays of Glory us'd to wear ; And he whom Heav'n's scarce worthy to contain , Do's in a Cell of Humane Flesh remain , Expos'd to Sorrows beyond parallel , Sorrows too Tragick to behold or tell ; Oh! thou mayst say , Behold the Man , too well : Behold ! alas ! I cannot , will not see , I am too tender for the Tragedy , Shou'd I behold his vast Expence of Blood , My Eyes wou'd melt into another Flood . Yet I will see whence all this Grief proceeds , For me , alas ! he Groans , for me he Bleeds ! My Sin expos'd him to these Wounding strokes , Yet he intreats the Pow'r which that provokes ; The Tide of Blood in which he floats , is shed To save the Wretch by whom his Wounds were made . Oh , then forbear on Pilate to Exclaim , — He 's Innocent , and I alone to blame ! His Guilt must justly fall on Wretched me , Who edg'd his Rage , and arm'd his Cruelty . Oh! then behold the Man thou hast betray'd ! Behold the Man that do's thy Crimes upbraid ! Behold the Man of Grief , the Man of Love ! Condemn the Author , but th' Effect approve . Behold , and Mourn for thy Ingratitude , Behold , and Triumph for thy Pardon Su'd , Thy Paradise regain'd , & Innocence renew'd ; And when thou hast sufficiently deplor'd The Suff'ring Man , and Sinning Man abhor'd , Then from the Humbl'd Man thy Thoughts must soar , And high in Heav'n th' Exalted God Adore . And let the sight of this great Suff'rer move . Tow'rds him alike thy Pity and thy Love. Translations out of Boethius , by Mr. Arwaker . Lib. 2. Metre the Fourth . WHo ere with a Serene and settled Mind Contemns the Injuries by Fate design'd , Viewing each Fortune with indiff'rent Eyes , And can unalter'd both alike despise ; Him the loud Storms that make the Ocean swell Amidst their Rage , shall find immoveable . His Courage wou'd not shrink at Aetna's Fire , But rather nobly Perish , than Retire . Nor can the strong Convulsion Fits that make Th' Earth tremble , his firm Resolution shake , Nor ev'n the Thunder's stroke make him affraid By which the proudest Tow'rs in Dust are laid . He who does ne'er with Hope or Fear engage , Disarms , and triumphs over Fortune's Rage . But he who hopes or fears what is not sure , Nor in his pow'r to hinder , or procure , Has thrown away his Shield , forsook his Ground , And made a Chain with which himself is bound . Metre Fifth . HE that wou'd choose a Station so secure To bafflle Fate , and all its Storms endure , Must neither on the Mountain's summit stand , Nor trust his Fortune to the failing Sand , That stands expos'd to all the blasts of Fate , And faithless this will sink beneath your weight : Then if thou wou'dst contemn the dangerous Shock , Fix thy safe Footsteps on an humble Rock ; Let Fortune storm , in this secure Retreat , Thou shalt the force of all its Rage defeat . Metre Sixth . HAppy the former Age to which each Field Did all the Objects of its Wishes yield ! That which cheap Acorns did its Pallate feast , And nothing in Luxurious Banquets wast ; Happily ignorant of the Use of Wine , They Quaff'd the Streams , and thought the Drink Divine ; No Tyrian Purple Carpers then they chose , But took on Grassy Beds more soft repose ; Beneath a lofty Pine's inviting shade , Alike for State , and for Convenience made . They had not then found out the fatal way To lose their Lives and Fortunes in the Sea ; Nor did the wand'ring Merchant then repair To Foreign Shores to vend , or Purchase Ware. No Trumpets then proclaim'd Warsloud Alarms , Nor Blood in Anger shed defil'd their Arms ; For who but Mad-men wou'd a Fight maintain , Where loss of Bloud and Life is all the gain ? The last TRUMPET . The Words by Mr. Tate . AWake ye Dead , the Trumpet calls ; Awake , awake , to Sleep no more , Heark from aloft the Frozen Region falls With Noise so loud it deafs the Ocean's Roar ; Allarm'd , amaz'd , the clatt'ring Orbs come down , The Virtuous Soul , alone , Appears unmov'd while Earths Foundations shake ; Ascends and Mocks the Universal Wreck . The Slaughter of the INNOCENTS Matth. ii . v. 16. By the same Hand . SWeet Innocents that found the way Through Bloudy Paths of Martyrdom , To your Celestial and Eternal Home , Before your harmless Feet had learn'd to stray . Early , but not untimely , Dead , Who to preserve the World's great Saviour bled ; For all his bitter Pangs the best Return , The best of us can make Is for his Precious sake ; ( And few have dar'd so far ) to Bleed or Burn. If then 't is Glorious to pursue His great Example , what must be your Due , — Who Dy'd for him , before he Dy'd for you ? Vpon the Sight of an ANATOMY . By Mr. Tate . 1. NAy , start not at that Skeleton , 'T is your own Picture which you shun ; Alive it did resemble Thee , And thou , when dead , like that shalt be : Converse with it , and you will say , You cannot better spend the Day ; You little think how you 'll admire The Language of those Bones and Wire . 2. The Tongue is gone , but yet each Joint Reads Lectures , and can speak to th' Point . When all your Moralists are read , You 'll find no Tutors like the Dead . 3. If in Truth 's Paths those Feet have trod , 'T is all one whether bare , or shod : If us'd to travel to the Door Of the Afflicted Sick and Poor , Though to the Dance they were estrang'd , And ne'er their own rude Motion chang'd ; Those Feet , now wing'd , may upwards fly , And tread the Palace of the Sky . 4. Those Hands , if ne'er with Murther stain'd , Nor fill'd with Wealth unjustly gain'd , Nor greedily at Honours graspt , But to the Poor-Man's Cry unclaspt ; It matters not , if in the Myne They delv'd , or did with Rubies shine . 5. Here grew the Lips , and in that Place , Where now appears a vacant space , Was fix'd the Tongue , an Organ , still Employ'd extreamly well or ill ; I know not if it cou'd retort , If vers'd i' th' Language of the Court ; But this I safely can aver , That if it was no Flatterer ; If it traduc'd no Man's Repute , But , where it cou'd not Praise , was Mute : If no false Promises it made , If it sung Anthems , if it Pray'd , 'T was a blest Tongue , and will prevail When Wit and Eloquence shall fail . 6. If Wise as Socrates , that Skull , Had ever been , 't is now as dull As Mydas's ; or if its Wit To that of Mydas did submit , 'T is now as full of Plot and Skill , As is the Head of Matchiavel : Proud Laurels once might shade that Brow , Where not so much as Hair grows now . 7. Prime Instances of Nature's Skill , The Eyes , did once those Hollows fill : Were they quick-sighted , sparkling , clear , ( As those of Hawks and Eagles are , ) Or say they did with Moisture swim , And were distorted , blear'd , and dim ; Yet if they were from Envy free , Nor lov'd to gaze on Vanity ; If none with scorn they did behold , With no lascivious Glances rowl'd : Those Eyes , more bright and piercing grown , Shall view the Great Creator's Throne ; They shall behold th' Invisible , And on Eternal Glories dwell . 8. See! not the least Remains appear To shew where Nature plac'd the Ear ! Who knows if it were Musical , Or cou'd not judge of Sounds at all ? Yet if it were to Council bent , To Caution and Reproof attent , When the shrill Trump shall rouse the Dead , And others hear their Sentence read ; That Ear shall with these Sounds be blest , Well done , and , Enter into Rest. PSALM the First . By Capt. Walker . 1. HAppy the Man , who shuns the beaten Road , And treads the unfrequented Paths of Good ; Whom , by a vertuous Restraint , From Sin preserv'd secure , No strong contagious Vice can taint , Nor Charming Ills allure : Who makes Iehovah's Laws his dear Delight . His Practice ev'ry Day , and Study ev'ry Night . 2. Him shall Just Heav'n in all his Actions bless , And crown his Labours with a wisht Success ; He , like a flourishing Tree , shall prove Near some fair River's side , Refresht with Heavenly Dews Above , Below with ev'ry Tide : Spreading his fertile Branches towards the Sky , His Leaf shall never fade , his Root shall never dy . 3. Not so the Wicked ; whose unhallowed Minds , Like scatter'd Chaff , before the whistling Winds By various and impetuous Gusts Of Raging Passions tost , ' Midst thousand Sins , and changing Lusts , Are miserably lost ; And wandring from the Sacred ways of Peace , Their Fears shall never Dye , their Plaints shall never cease . PSALM lvii . Vers. 8 , 9 , 10. By the same Hand . 1. AWake my Glory , e'er the Rosy Morn Does with a Purple Blush the Skies adorn ; Before the Sun arise to break the Day , Awake and chase thy gloomy Sleep away . 2. Awake soft Lute , awake my charmful Lyre , With sacred Transports my warm Breast inspire ; Awake each Faculty , awake and sing , In holy Raptures my Almighty King. 3. In Notes Divine let my glad Voice proclaim His mighty Goodness , and Eternal Name ; Let my loud Praises thro' the World resound , While crowding Nations listen all around . 4. But oh ! my God , thy Wonders are too great For Tongue to speak , or Verse to celebrate ; So vast thy Mercies , and thy Truths so high , They pierce the Clouds , and reach beyond the Sky . A PARAPHRASE on the 79th Psalm . 1. HOw long , O Lord , of everlasting Might , Shall the successful Heathen make abode , In thy Inheritance , O God! How long defile thy Temple , and usurp thy Right ? See! how the once Proud City Lies , Salem , a heap of Stones , for pity cries , Nor here does their unbounded Fury stay , Thy Priests they on the Altars slay , And cast 'em forth to Birds , and savage Beasts of prey . Witness the Blood , that now on every side Surrounds the City with a Purple Tide ; Witness the Bodies they deny to have , The common Privilege of a Grave . This is our Woe , and this our Fate , While neighbouring Nations to encrease the Weight , Triumphantly Rejoice in our unhappy State. 2. But , O! Thou God of Mercy and of Love How long wilt thou remove Thy dearest Attributes from Thee ? How long with Anger burn , and fiery Jealousy ? Rather thy irresistless Wrath employ Upon the Kingdoms , who thy Name Have never known , or known disclaim , And durst thy Iacob's Dwellings impiously destroy . Forget our Sins , O Lord : And with a Father's Love relief afford ; Us , like thy Children , treat , And let thy Mercy be , as our Affliction , great . 3. Help , O God , of our Salvation , Help , for the Glory of thy Name ; Nor let thy own , thy own , tho' sinful Nation , By Thee deserted , suffer shame . Let not deriding Heathens cry , O! where is now their fancy'd Deity . And smile , and wonder At Thy great Power , and yet unactive Thunder . Rise ! Lord , and let that Bloud the Heathen shed , Dye them again with Red ; And let thy Vengeance publick be , That what they suffer we ( O God ) may see . 4. Let the loud Groans of Captives pierce the Sky , And hear , and in a timely Hour Rescue from Death , who sentenc'd are to Dye ; Shew boundless Mercy , join'd with boundless Power : But for those Wretches , who blasphem'd thy Name , Cloath them with Everlasting Shame , That by their Suffering they may see , And dread the Wrath of thy Divinity . So we that are Thy darling Flock , and thy peculiar Care , May in most thankful Numbers raise To Thee , Eternal God , Eternal Praise . Hallelujah . The CONVERT . An Ode Written by Mr. George Herbert . 1. IF ever Tears did flow from Eyes , If ever Voice was hoarse with Cries , If ever Heart was sore with Sighs ; Let now my Eyes , my Voice , my Heart , Strive each to play their Part. 2. My Eyes from whence these Tears did spring , Where treach'rous Syrens us'd to sing , Shall flow no more — until they bring A Deluge on my sensual Flame , And wash away my Shame . 3. My Voice , that oft with foolish Lays , With Vows and Rants , and sensless Praise , Frail Beauty's Charms to Heav'n did raise , Henceforth shall only pierce the Skies , In Penitential Cryes . 4. My Heart , that gave fond Thoughts their Food , ( Till now averse to all that 's Good ) The Temple where an Idol stood , Henceforth in Sacred Flames shall Burn , And be that Idol's URN . The Prophet ELIJAH Translated up to Heaven . By Mr. Tate . ELijah long and faithful Service boasts , Under the Banner of the Lord of Hosts ; Who now , his signal Conquests to Reward , A Chariot for his Triumph has prepar'd ; Such matchless Virtue nobly to require , Translates him Body'd to the Realms of Light : The Prophet now with gen'rous Scorn surveys This Earth , where He but for a Passport stays ; And do's entirely his fir'd Thoughts employ On those bright Regions He must soon enjoy . But first ( for in his Road to Heav'n they lay ) A Visit to the Prophet's Schools He 'll pay , In Legacy , where He his Progress goes , His Councel and his Blessing He bestows . Elisha do's his Master's steps attend ; — A Servant worthy to be stil'd a Friend . From Gilgal's Plain , to Bethel Journeying on , The Prophet Courts his Servant to be gone ; Near Iericho once more his Charge repeats , But still Commands in vain , in vain Entreats . When Love and Duty once dispute the Field , Duty it self must to Affection yield . The Prophet now to Iordan's Bank is come , The last short Stage to his Celestial Home ; His Mantle's Sacred Force the Iordan knew , And consciously in parting Tides withdrew . That Stream , long since subdu'd , at his command Was disciplin'd to fall , to swell , or stand . The naked Channel now with ease pass'd o'er , And Both arriv'd to the remoter shore ; On that last spot of Earth his Feet must tread ; The Prophet to his Faithful Servant , said — O for thy Truth and Love , my Servant , say , How shall a grateful Master Thee repay ? E'er to Eternal Mansions born away : For Thee , who still must Earthly Toils pursue , Instruct thy willing Master what to do , Who wou'd to Thee be Kind , as thou to him wer 't True. The Favourite with such Indulgence blest , So kindly urg'd to make his own Request , A while with modest Gratitude stands mute , Delays to utter his important Suit ; Who else might instantly his Wish impart , For 't was already form'd within his Heart ; So vast a Boon he trembles to express , Yet must depart unsatisfy'd with less . Not Pow'r or Pomp , not Safety , Wealth , or Ease , His gen'rous and enflam'd Desires can please Too narrow All for his expanded Mind , It will not be to Nature's Bounds confin'd . His Soul can Revelation only prize , Rapture and Correspondence with the Skies ; The World do's no proportion'd Scene present ; No less than Heav'n on Earth can his vast Soul Content . O Man of God , he cry'd , let me inherit A double Portion of thy Sacred Spirit : These impious Times such strong Convictions need , I cannot else to thy great Charge succeed ; My Weakness this Concession do's require , E'er to thy Sacred Office I aspire ; To perfect the Foundation Thou hast laid , Elisha must have ' twice Elijah's Aid . The Prophet grants , but grants with this Reserve , If me at paiting thy fix'd Eyes observe , If in that Minute on their Watch they 'r found , Thou hast thy Wish , 't is else an empty Sound . A Tempest to their Consrence puts an end , The fiery Steeds and flaming Wain descend . What mean these Terrors ? This impetuous Air ? Can Death so dreadful as this Change appear ? Who wou'd not choose to pass his brazen Gate , If such fierce Blessings must on Rapture wait ? Mistaken Thought ! the Charriot and the Storm Of Terrour only have the Sound and Form. The Vision do's but Lambent Flames present , For Speed , not Violence , the Whirl-wind's sent . Elisha the whole Scene with still-fix'd Eyes , Beholds , and to his tow'ring Master crys , My Father , O my Father ! — Israel now Has lost her Chariot and her Horse men too ! Tearing his Garments , as on him he calls , In Recompence Elijah's Mantle falls : While of the Rest his weeping Sight 's bereav'd , His Arms the kind descending Pledge receiv'd . Now , pensive , back to Iordan's Bank he goes , Whose Streams his Passage to the Schools oppose ; He now must put Heav'ns Promise to the Test , And prove if he Elijah's Spirit possest . Dismantled on the Current's Verge he stood , Then smote , and cry'd , — Where 's now Elijah's God ? Chastis'd by Him the swelling Streams give way , And Great Elijah's greater Heir Obey . HYMN , by H. W. 1. THou God for ever blest Of uncreated Pow'r possest , Whose Habitation is in Light refin'd , From thy Celestial Throne With Pity ( Lord ) look down , Behold , relieve my troubled Mind : Anguish and Horror from my Heart remove , Thou God of everlasting Peace and Love. 2. And Thou , who sitt'st at his Right-hand , That do'st th' Angelick Hosts command , Thou , who on Earth didst heav'nly Pow'r display , Thou , whose mild Voice made Winds and Seas obey ; The Storms , the Tempest in my Brest allay . Chastise , Controul The boist'ring Waves that rowl , And Toss and Wreck , and quite o'er-whelm my sick despairing Soul. 3. And Thou most sweet and Sacred Dove , The God of Consolation and of Love , Visit , O Visit ev'ry Part Of my afflicted Heart : That Heart for thy Reception to prepare , By thy most heav'nly Influence , Expel all sinful Thoughts from thence , And Save me from the Gulph of black Despair . Hezekiah's Sickness and Recovery : KINGS the II. Chap. 20. By Mr. Tate . WIth double Pleasure sprung the cheerful Dawn , That saw the Syrians threatning Host with drawn : Yet , ah ! no sooner Wars Allarms are fled , No sooner Peace her brooding Wings had spread ; But Sickness , arm'd with Death's resistless Sting , Invades the Sacred Person of the King ! The raging Pest within his Vitals reign'd , More dang'rous than the Siege he had sustain'd . The fatal Summons Purple Symptoms gave , And Thus the Prophet warns him to his Grave . " Thy House in Order set , dispose thy State , " For Death , O King , do's on my Message wait ; " He stalks behind me to thy Palace-Gate . The Prince , who had Besieging Hosts defy'd , Turns Pale , and deeply Sighing , Thus reply'd ; " Can Heav'n impose , where Justice is sublime , " A Task so weighty and so short a Time ? " My House in Order set , dispose my State ! " Surpriz'd , like Me , with Life's last stage in View , " Alas ! what could a private Master do ? " If Him a Doom so sudden wou'd o'erwhelm , " Ah ! what must I , who sit at Iudah's Helm , " My Family , no less than All the Realm ! " That Realm how shall I orderly bequeath , " E'er Wars Alarms afford me time to breath ? " How place my Scepter e'er my Sword I Sheath ? " But if th' Almighty Wisdom has thought fit , " That I shou'd Iudah's Royal Ensigns quit ; " My Soul at his Decree shall ne'er Repine , " Both Life and Empire , at his Call Divine , " I will Resign — But ah ! to whom Resign ? " For yet the Marriage Bed's to me unknown , " And Iudah wants an Heir to Iudah's Throne . " Shall Israel's Ten Apostate Tribes , their King " To Sion's Tow'r , and worse — " Unhallow'd Idols to the Temple bring ? " Or shall Assyrian Troops the Siege renew , " And Rabsheka's blaspheming Threats prove True ? When in such Terms the Royal Saint had mourn'd , His Face , bedew'd with Tears , he meekly turn'd , Turn'd to the Wall : Why thither ? that his Mind Might less Distraction in that Posture find , Or secret Pray'rs more servently to press ; ( As warm Devotion loves no Witnesses . ) Or that his Palace open'd on that side A Prospect , whence his Eyes the Temple spy'd , Where wish'd Access was to his Feet deny'd . A second Deluge at his View he show'r'd , And thus his Soul her Deprecation pour'd . " Remember , Lord , ( with humble Trust I sue " How to thy Service I have been most True : " With perfect Heart by strong Devotion warm'd , " That which was Righteous in thy sight perform'd . The Royal Saint paus'd here ; and hov'ring round , Attending Angels strive to catch each Sound : Scarce could They for their finisht Errand stay , While thus the Pious Prince proceeds to Pray — " How prays He ? — Not one Accent more he spoke . " But when his Tongue grows mute , his Thoughts invoke ; " His Tears and Groans their Office still maintain ; " Let then the faithful Muse — " The Language of those Groans and Tears explain . They said — " Thou seest , O God , most Just and Wise , " All fix'd on me , the Neighb'ring Nations Eyes ; " How in a Leud and Superstitious Age " Alone I stand , and for thy Truth engage " Thy Worship's Champion ; if in Death I sleep , " From Pagan Force , who shall thine Altars keep ? " The Reformation , I with Toil commenc'd , " Will soon relapse to Ruin when unfenc'd : " The Assyrian Savage with impetuous Haste " ( Th' Enclosure gone ) will lay thy Vineyard waste . " Let me , or let my Cause , thy Favour claim , " Support thy Servant , or at least thy Name ; " Restore me from the Grave , prolong my Days ; " Prolong them , that I may prolong thy Praise . Nor yet the Prophet had the Palace left , And Royal Patient , of all Hope bereft ; But He , whose Visit made the Court to Mourn , Of Life the welcom Envoy must Return . " Turn , cry'd the Vision , bring my Saint Relief , " Tell Hezekiab , tell my People's Chief ; " Thy Father David's God has heard thy Pray'r , " Beheld thy Tears , and will thy Health repair : " The Third Day 's Sun shall see that Health restor'd , " ( But Miracles must first confirm my Word ; ) " Who now wants Breath his mournful Crys to raise , " Shall in the Temple then resound my Praise . On the Death of Mr. Fell , who was found Dead upon his Knees in his Chamber . PRetending private Study , when thy Mind To Paradise this Voyage had design'd , Was sure a Pious ( though surprising ) Fraud , And such as Saints and Angels must applaud . Elijah thus pretending to Retire , Told of the Water , but conceal'd the Fire . Elisha , had he sought no more to know , Had lost his Spirit and his Mantle too . Such Legacies , blest Soul , mightst thou have giv'n , Had we but seen thee when snatcht up to Heav'n . Sure , Paradise was open'd to thy view , When with thy Pray'r thy Soul together flew . In such a sacred Rapture Stephen spy'd Heav'n's Gates unlockt , and forthwith kneel'd , and dy'd ; To Heav'n thou now hast shewn the nearest way ; Which is , like Thee , to Study and to Pray . You , that carve Virtue deckt with ev'ry Grace , As if her Beauties lay in Hands and Face , Come Counterfeit this Image if you dare , The first Original Statue of a Prayer ! Heaven took thee up when it beheld thee down ; So Princes kneel when they receive a Crown . Nor did Heav'ns sudden Summons Thee surprise , It scarce could ever find thee otherwise , Thy pious Soul in Consecrated Clay , ( For 't was a Temple ) never ceas'd to pray . Thy oft repeated Storms Heaven's Gates assail'd , Whose sacred Violence at last prevail'd ; Heaven kindly yielding sent a Message down , To bid thee enter , and possess the Crown . One Period ends thy Combat and thy Breath , Thy Conquest bravely finish'd in thy Death . Such was Epaminondas noble Pride ; The minute that he Overcame , he dy'd ; Alas ! what cannot warm Religion dare ? No Walls so high , but may be scal'd by Pray'r New Stratagems by Piety are found , And highest Flights take rise from off the ground . What happy Zeal thy Spirit did inspire , That ' midst thy Tears could kindle so much fire ? Which made thee so impatient of delay , Thy zealous haste cou'd scarce Heaven's leisure stay , But lest thy Message should too late come there , Thy self wentst post to overtake thy Prayer . Thy Soul and Pray'r so intimate became , That , like old Friends , they now were grown the same , 'T was only Heaven ( so much alike they were ) That could discern the Spirit from the Prayer . Enjoy blest Shade what thou hast bravely won , Possess that Heaven which thou hadst here begun ; Heaven doth to us thy prostrate Body grant , The precious Reliques of so great a Saint , Which should it longer in this Posture stay , Would , like thy Soul , we fear , be snatch'd away . Grudge not thy Body should to Earth be given , A welcome Present , as thy Soul to Heaven : Whilst this here prays below , that sings on high , We 'll learn of this to pray , of that to fly . A PARAPHRASE On several TEXTS of SCRIPTVRE , Expressing the SIGHS OF A PENITENT SOUL . Translated from Hermannus Hugo . The INTRODUCTION . Lord thou knowest all my Desire , and my Groaning is not hid from thee , Ps. 38. v. 9. HE only knows my Grief , whose Eyes can dart Into the dark Recesses of my Heart ; He only views those Labyrinths of Night , Who gilds the Day , and gives the Sun his Light. Stretcht on the solitary Shore I lye , With wing'd Petitions fill the vaulted Sky ; Yet what I wish , none knows but He , and I ! The Groans , the Pangs , that in my Bosom rise , We Two can only tell ; — and we suffice . PSALM 6. Vers. 3. Have Mercy upon me , O Lord , for I am weak , heal me for my Bones are broken . SHall I complain ? or silently depart ? Complaints are just , & I will ease my Heart . A common Friend condoles his Friend in Woe , What therefore should a tender Lover do ? Were then thy Oaths of Love , but flatt'ring Wind ? I did not think thou couldst be so unkind ! Ah! couldst thou know me sick to this degree , And yet so long defer to visit me ? Melampus , Podalyrius , Chiron too , And Poean , tho' with Gout and Palsie slow , Have all been here , each Member of the Train Has read his tedious Lecture on my Pain . But my Hypocrates was absent still ; Thou com'st the last ; — Thou whose resistless Skill Can Cure with greater speed than they can Kill . They shake their Heads , & with dejected Eye , The feeble Motion of my Pulse they try : But what 's the wise Result of all their Art ? They cry , I 'm sick — Yes , I am sick — at heart ! Thro' all my Veins the dire Infection creeps , My Vitals too in strong Possession keeps . My Pains , my Pangs , my Agonies encrease , And Physicks baffled Pow'r gives no Release . Behold these Lineaments disguis'd with Woe , If thou again this alter'd Face canst know ? Behold these Eyes , each bury'd in its Cell , These Cheeks where freshest Beauty us'd to dwell ; In Ruins there each graceful Feature lies ; Tho' chaft with Wine , no lively Blush will rise . Then to whose Altar should I now repair , But Thine , who only canst redress my Care ? Thou only canst my raging Grief controul , Who art the great Physician of the Soul. JEREMIAH 9. Vers. 1. O that my Head were turned into Water , and my Eyes a Fountain of Tears , that I might weep Day and Night . Nymphs of the Flood , how truly blest are you ? Whose beauteous Limbs in liquid Chrystal flow ! And They whose metamorphos'd Frame distill'd To Lakes that soon the wondring Valleys fill'd , Why of your Fortune should this Head despair ; ( This wretched Head ) with , more tormenting Care Turn'd to a Spring , with Moss instead of Hair ? On Earth my weary out-stretcht Arms I throw , In hopes they will , like yours , dissolve , & flow ; But my hard Stars so blest a Change deny , For Rivers Emblems are of Liberty . O that I could a sudden Fountain prove , As Acis once for Galatea's Love ! That those kind Pow'rs , who set sad Biblis free , Would now repeat the Miracle in me ! Since Floods and Seas , I but in vain implore , Let some kind Show'r supply me with its store . Then from my Eyes such plenteous Streams would flow , As fall from lofty Pindus melting Snow ; Which down the Furrows of my Cheeks should run In Course , as constant as the Circling Sun : No Rest should in my trickling Tears be found , Till all my Sins were in that Deluge drown'd . PSALM 69. Vers. 15. Let not the Water-flood overflow me , nor the Deep swallow me up . MY Life 's a Sea , now raging , now at Rest ; And I the Ship , with gawdy Streamers drest . What are the Breezes there , each flatt'ring Wind , But those dissembling Passions of my Mind ? Invited by these Gales I rashly float , And tempt the Ocean in a sickle Boat. No want of youthful Dalliance to excite , But pleasures Tiding up with full Delight ; Syrens that charm at once my Ear & Sight . O Faithless Main , that with so calm a Brow Dost smile , — how rough and boist'rous wilt thou grow ? Kind Offices thou dost as yet perform , Without the least Suspition of a Storm ; But when environ'd round with Seas and Skies Past sight of Shore — Thy Tempests then will Rise . PSALM 143. Vers. 2. Enter not into Iudgment with thy Servant , &c. O Who would not this strict Tribunal dread , Or dare before th' Almighty Judge to Plead , At his Tribunal , how shall Guilt appear , Where Innocence it self can scarce be Clear ? Ev'n He whose Piety did brightly shine , ( Of all the Inspir'd Twelve the most Divine ) Whose Life , with Vice , was one continu'd War , Yet dar'd not plead Perfection at this Barr. The Royal Author of Seraphick Verse , And Anthems fit for Angels to rehearse , What Son of Flesh conceiv'd in Sin ( said He ) Before All-seeing Eyes can righteous be ? Nor Iob ( in sufferings try'd ) allow'd the Skies , And brighter Stars , as spotless in his Eyes . If then such Pillars sink beneath his Hand , On what support can we , frail Rafters , stand ? And if before his Breath the Cedars yield , How shall such Shrubs as we maintain the Field ? PSALM . The Sorrows of Hell compass me , and the Snares of Death take hold of me . ACteon's Fortune seems in me renew'd , When wretchedly by his own Hounds persu'd . Wild Groves my youthful Fancy did enflame , My Soul was always in pursuit of Game ; Till Death beset me in a Desart way , And of the Hunter made a wretched Prey . In ev'ry Path Death's tangling Nets are spread , More fine and subtile than Arachne's Thread ; Behold how close that watchful Huntress lies , Some gawdy buzzing Stragler to surprise ; Her Web once struck , forth from her Cell she springs , And to her Den the mourning Captive brings . Mark how the Fowler from the shades unseen Observes his Nets , stretcht on the neighb'ring Green ; And , to allure , where vacant Spots are found , He scatters Grain upon the barren Ground : While Birds whom he already has betray'd , Are now Decoys to their own Fellows made ; And from their Cages cheerful Notes begin To draw , with feign'd Mirth , their Companions in : — These , these , my Soul , true Emblems are of Sin. PSALM 31. Vers. 10. My Life is spent in Grief , and my Years in Sighing . By N. Tate . A Sullen Planet frown'd upon my Birth , Nor to this Hour allows one Minute's Mirth ; Yet still I 'm flatter'd with deceitful Air , That always says to Morrow shall be fair . No Morrow yet has darted one kind Ray , But still proves darker than the former Day . The ruffling Winds oftimes disturb the Main , But soon the Billows grow compos'd again ; No Leaves in Winter on the Grove are seen , Which yet the next Spring Cloaths with fresher Green. When sudden Storms eclipse the Morning's Light , Those once dispers'd , the Day returns more bright . My gloomy Thoughts no Interval can find , The Tempest always rages in my Mind . My Sighs are all the Musick I employ , My Sighs are all the Musick I enjoy ; With these I pass the tedious Night away , With these I pass the yet more tedious Day . My Friends , 't is true , their Counsel oft address , Advise me oft to make my Sorrows less . I took their Council , gave to Mirth the Rein ; Mirth only brought more sharp Returns of Pain . For when my Griefs with Laughter I 'd beguile , Tempestuous Sighs destroy'd the Infant Smile . And when I try to Sleep my Griefs to Rest , Their Crys fright from my Door the gentle Guest . Ye Streams and Groves , my long frequented Seats , Ye Rocks & Caves , my Sorrows last Retreats ! You know , how oft my Groans in vain supprest , Have with recoiling Fury torn my Breast . While Eccho , gentle sharer of my Woe , Returns a Sigh to ev'ry Sigh I throw . Here Progne do's her mournful Story tell , Answer'd by sadder Notes of Philomel . Each in her Turn renews the doleful Strain , While Halcyons from the distant Shoars complain With these the Turtle joins eternal Moan , Like me , she mourns , and murmurs all alone ! Thus Fate , do's cruelly my Life prolong , Of all my suffrings Life the greatest Wrong ! Out of Hermannus Hugo . I Charge you , O Daughters of Jerusalem , if ye find my Beloved , that ye tell him I am sick of Love. Cant. 5. 8. YE happy souls , of Heavenly Salem's Race , Whose snowy Feet the Azure Temples grace , You , you , I charge , attend my sacred Strain , If ye by chance shou'd find my Love again , Tell him I Languish with a Fire unknown , As Iasmins saint beneath th' Assyrian Sun ; For ' midst the Darts he lately scatter'd round , He fell himself a Shaft , and I a Wound : At least his own Blood ting'd the pointed Steel ' For I more His , than my own Sufferings feel . Ah! with what fires was then my Soul possest , As if whole Aetna heav'd within my Breast ! If he 's inquisitive , as Lovers are , And should enquire of each particular , Talk all the Forms of Languish and Distress , Which Pain forbids the Sufferer to express . He 'll ask if I am Feaverish ; tell him , No ; My Spirits are too weak , my Pulse too low ! He 'll ask if danger of my Life appears ; — Tell what your Eyes discover , not your Ears . Tell him you bid me speak , whilst my faint breath Imported nothing , but the signs of Death . Perhaps he 'll ask you how I did appear , What Looks , and what my other symptoms were ; This , or like This , let your Description be , That he my danger with its Cause may see ; A pale a frightful trembling Ghost I lye Condemn'd , O Fate ! neither to live nor dye . I pant and struggle for my hovering Breath , Labouring for either perfect Life or Death . With heavy Eyes , that sink in gloomy Shade , My faint Right hand within my Bosom laid : No rosy Colours , no young Native heat , No Pulse , tho' touch'd , can be perceiv'd to beat . A floud of Tears wash my faint Life away , And dying Sighs to him my Soul convey : Whilst in these sad Complaints I still admire To feel I burn , yet know not what 's the fire , Unless 't is Love , which doth these Passions move , For every accent of my Pain is Love ! From hence , I find , from hence proceeds my flame I know not Love , but yet a Lover am ; Love made my Plaints so loud , my Sighs so deep , Love taught my unexperienc'd Eyes to weep . From hence th' Abruptness of my Language came , That I could utter nothing but his Name . This , in these words , Let my Beloved hear , That I ( fond of my pain ) his Fetters bear : Tell him I burn with such a gentle fire , As Roses in the Summers heat expire ; Tell him that I with long Desires decay , As hoary Lillies droop and fade away ; I charge ye tell him I am sick of Love , And my last Sickness , tell him , it will prove . ON EASTER-DAY . By an unknown Hand . 1. HArk ! Sure I hear Urania play , I hear her tune the heavenly Strings ; Some wondrous Tidings sure she brings . Oh! now , methinks , I hear her say , The Sun of Rightcousness , To day , Must break , must rise , must come away With Healing on his Wings . 2. 'T is done — behold the God appear , Fulfilling all that he hath said , Captivity is Captive led ; Death of his old invenom'd Spear Behold disarm'd , and conquer'd here ; The Grave no more the Members seat Since risen is the Head. 3. In vain the silly Rabbins strove A Stratagem of Force to find The Lord Omnipotent to bind ; Too weak , to stop Almighty Love , Their Guards , their Stone , their Seal must prove ; The trembling Earth doth all remove Like Dust before the Wind. 4. Let ransom'd Men in Praises vie , Let every faithful Soul rejoice And tune , to Angels Notes , his Voice ! Hail ! Son of David , let them cry , Hail ! Thou that Livest , and didst Dye ! That list'st thy glorious Seat on high , And Sufferings mad'st thy Choice . 5. Unfold , ye Everlasting Gates , That Guard the great Iehovah's Towers , Those Sacred My stick Leaves of yours ; The King of Glory for you waits : Receive him , O ye blissful Bow'rs , Ye Thrones , Dominions , Sceptred Powers ; He comes : — accomplish'd are the Hours Appointed by the Fates . 6. Be now thy Foes thy Footstool made ; Exalted high , on God's Right-hand , A Priest for ever mayst thou stand , Thy dear Redeeming Blood to plead , Th' imperfect Sacrifice to aid , Which is by wretched Man convey'd , And never must be scann'd . A Preparation to PRAYER . By the same Hand . 1. LET no bold Prayer presume to rise , Let no unhallowed Incense go A fruitless Progress , through the Skies , Whilst here thy Heart remains below : Thy Heart , adorn'd in all its best desires , Thy Father kindly courts , thy awful God requires . 2. Think with what Reverence and State Thy Maker is ador'd Above ; What mighty Beings round him wait , And pay their Worship and their Love : That Cherubims are in his Sight afraid , And with enfolded Wings their glorious Faces Shade . 3. How must that Guardian Angel grieve , ( That to attend thy Soul , is sent ) Such cold Petitions to receive , As his warm Zeal can ne'er present ! How must he grieve , thy empty Forms to see ? In Spirit and in Truth , his God must worshipt be . 4. How will it swell thy final Cares ? How will it all thy hopes defeat , To see thy Sins increas'd by Prayers , Which only could their force abate ? How can'st thou hope t' escape those foreign Harms , Who thus against thy self turn'st thy defensive Arms ? GOLD is try'd in the Fire , and acceptable Men in the time of Adversity . By the same Hand . 1. IF all th' appointed Days of Man were fair , And his few Hours mov'd o'er him like a Breeze , That gently fans the waving Trees , Soft and Smooth , and void of Care , As Infants balmy Slumbers are ; How should we ere assured be , That even Temper we might see Were Vertue , not Prosperity . 2. Not so th' Almighty Wisdom has design'd We should in Ease and Luxury remain , Untry'd by Sorrow , or by Pain : No , the great Searcher of the Mind Unshaken Vertue there must find ; Tho' low as to the Dunghil brought With him , whose sifted Patience taught He serv'd for Duty , else for nought . 3. We see the wealthiest Oar the Earth doth hide , Is not receiv'd or pass'd for current Gold , Nor by the greedy Miser told , Till by the Cleansing Furnace try'd , It doth the seven fold Test abide : So must the Path of Grief be trod , That certain Purifying Road By all th' accepted Sons of God. 4. God in this Method to our Needs has bow'd , Nor is it Reason guides when we complain : Favours alas , but fall in vain , And the good Things that are allow'd , Instead of happy , make us proud . Let us not then refuse this part , But wisely learn the Saving Art , Which Tears to Comforts do's convert . On AFFLICTION . By the same Hand . 1. WElcome , ( what e'er my tender Flesh may say , ) Welcome Affliction , to my Reason still . Tho' hard and rugged , on this Rock I lay A sure Foundation , which , if rais'd with Skill , Shall compass Babels aim , and reach th' Almighty's Hill. 2. Welcome the Rod that do's Adoption shew The Cup , whose wholsome Dregs are giv'n me here , There is a Day behind , if God be true , When all these Clouds shall pass , and Heaven be clear , When those , whom most they shade , shall shine most glorious there . 3. Affliction is the Line , which every Saint Is measur'd by , his Stature taken right ; So much it shrinks , as they repine or faint , But if their Faith or Courage stand upright , By that is made the Crown , and the full Robe of Light. PSALM the 137th , Paraphras'd to the 7th Verse . By the same Hand . PRoud Babylon , thou saw'st us Weep , Euphrates , as he past along , Saw on his Banks the Sacred Throng A heavy Solemn Mourning keep ; Sad Captives to thy Sons and Thee . When nothing but our Tears were free ! A Song of Sion they require , And , from the neighbouring Trees , to take Each Man his dumb neglected Lyre , And Cheerful Sounds on them awake ; But Cheerful Sounds the Strings refuse , Nor will their Masters Griefs abuse . How can we , Lord , thy Praise proclaim , Here in a strange unhallow'd Land , Lest we provoke them to blaspheme A Name they do not understand ! And with Rent Garments that deplore Above what e'er we felt before . But thou Ierusalem so dear , If thy lov'd Image e'er depart , Or I forget thy Sufferings here , Let my Right hand forget her Art , My Tongue her Vocal Gift resign , And Sacred Verse no more be mine . The Second Chapter of the Wisdom of Solomon , Paraphras'd . By the same Hand . The first 12 Lines being an Introduction . HOw weak is Man that would himself perswade Out of his Interest , and his Tempter aid ! Misled by present Ioys , and humane Pride , Would gladly lay his future Hopes aside ; Uncloath himself of all he holds Divine , And to the Earth his Ashes would confine . Consent his Soul ( all pains on it to spare ) Shou'd vanish like the soft and silent Air , This Doctrin , which in ancient Times was penn'd , Th' industrious Devil took care shou'd still descend , And we by Atheists now the same are told , Which Israels wisest Prince describes of old . The CHAPTER begins . THus reason'd they , said he , but not aright , Deluded by the Charms of vain Delight ; Tho' Life be short , how tedious is the day Which some new Pleasure doth not drive away ? Death hastens on all humane Things to seize , And there 's no remedy for that Disease . None from the Grave return , nor Moses Laws Have seen him come to vindicate their Cause . Chance made the World ; and the same Hand of Chance Did blindly Man into that World advance . And , when the date of certain years expires , As he had never been , he back retires . That active Fire which animates the Heart , And thence all Life and Motion do's impart , By some contending Element opprest , Extinguish'd fails and quits the darken'd breast . The Vapour in our Nostrils steals away , And all that row remains is common Clay . Time preys upon our Memory and Name , And deep Oblivion swallows up our Fame . Like a swift Cloud we pass unheeded by , No track is left , no mark where it did fly , Nor shall it e'er return to shade the Sky . Since past and future we at distance see , And present time can only useful be , Voluptuous , and in Pleasures let us live , And freely spend what Moments we receive . Still let us gay and warm Affections hold , And , when in Age , forget that we are old . Roses about our youthful Tresses ty , Roses shall , when they fall , their place supply . The cheerful Spring shall round our Temples shine , Whilst our full Bowls flow with Autumnal Wine . The polish'd Skin with Ointments shall begay , Circling Perfumes shall usher on the way , And soft harmonious Airs about us play . Diffusing as we pass Luxuriant Bliss ; This is our Portion , and our Lot is this . Justice shall lay aside her useless Scales , And Force shall Justice be , when Force prevails No Law shall govern , no dull Rule take place , The Widow , nor the hoary Head find grace ; Oppression shall the righteous Man devour , Fashion'd by Conscience for the Tyrant's pow'r ; Who meekly yields to wrong , or vile disgrace , Yet from th' Immortal God derives his Race , And by himself is arrogantly stil'd Of him he Worships the apparent Child ; Him let us wait for that upbraids us still With Breach of Laws , and Education ill , That but at distance views our loose Delight , And blasts our Mirth with his reproachful sight : Who , not like us , his Youth to Pleasure gives , But singular , and solitary lives ; And does his Eyes on distant Prospects bend , Saying , the Iust is blessed in his End ; That let us hasten , and his Patience prove , And his cool Temper with rough usage move : If Son to him whom he Almighty calls , He sure will Save when in our hands he falls ; Let us in Shame and Tortures make him dye , And so his Truth and his Protector try . Full place did such Imaginations find With Men in Mists of Sin and Error blind , That knew not God , nor did his Laws regard , Unmindful of the Work or the Reward , That shall on blameless Souls hereafter rest , When with Eternity of Pleasures blest . God stampt his Image on created Earth , And made it so , Immortal in its Birth , And tho' th' Inferrial Fiend , with Envy fill'd , Brought Death into the World , and some has kill'd , Yet only those that do his part embrace , Shall fall to him , and his appointed place . SOLITUDE . HOw far the sweets of Solitude excel The World's loud Mirth and clam'rous Sports Of Theaters , and crowded Courts , Only the vertuous Heavenly Soul can tell . Which when retir'd and loos'd by Faith & Love. From the gross Body , upward flies , Climbs o'er th' impurer lower Skies , To gain sweet Converse with blest Minds above . Ravish'd with This , she seeks a clearer sight , And chides the interposing Clay , And bars of Flesh that take away Her heavenly Prospect , and retard her flight . She do's her scorn of this low World express , Derides the Pompous Trifles here , Honours and Wealth to Sinners dear , And wonders why Men call it Happiness . Safe in those happy Realms of Light and Love , From Clouds and stormy Wind that blow O'er this tempesteous World below , She mourns she cannot always keep above . In those bright Fields no fears her Joy controul , Securely seated from on high She sees the ruddy Lightning fly , And hears below the distant Thunder roll . She 's there safe guarded from fal'n Angels pow'r , That stray in this low void of Air. And ( watching with unwearied Care , ) First tempt to sin , then vanquish'd Souls devour . Those Minds become more excellent and pure , That Heav'ns calm Regions most frequent , Free from Earth's Damps and noisom Scent ; As wholesom Climates Mens sick Bodies cure . And when such Minds descend to Earth agen , Their heav'nly Language cheerful Face , Fresh Beauty and Celestial Grace Declare the happy Seats where they have been . This World is still so turbulent and loud , That Heav'ns soft Voice cannot be heard , Angels have oft to Men appear'd When all alone , but never in a Crowd . In silent Groves the Men of old grew wise , There prostrate Votaries ador'd , And invocated the true Lord , There Heathens worship'd too their Deities . Sage Druids there Heav'ns Councils understood : The Soul does there her Thoughts compose , Calmly devout and silent grows , Aw'd by the shade and stillness of the Wood. There th' Essens Sect their Innocence were taught Of the next Silver Stream they drank , Got a cheap Meal from some green Bank , And far from worldly Cares they Liv'd and Thought . In Fields and Woods , may I safe Pleasures find , Nature's Almighty Cause adore , Admire the Works , but th' Author more , Where Objects both delight and teach my Mind . May Vallies teach me to be fruitful too , May Hills excite me to aspire , Like them , to Heav'n with rais'd Desire , And may my Thoughts flow pure , as Fountains do . From Birds I 'll learn to sing my Maker's Praise , The Sheep shall make me wish I may Grow useful , and as meek , as they ; And hear the Pastor that directs my ways . Both Birds and Beasts shall my distrust condemn , That trust Heav'n's Goodness rove about Free from all Care and anxious Doubts , And teach me to depend on Heav'n , like them . Motives I ne'er shall want of Love and Praise , For Heav'n and Earth will still supply My Thoughts with such variety , As will new wonder fresh Devotion raise . Oh may I something learn from all I see , And by the Creatures still ascend , To the first Cause whilst I attend To Nature's Volumes of Divinity . Let me sweet Solitude's Delights enjoy , And Those repair to sensual Sport , To Wine and Theaters resort , Who know not how their Leisure to employ . A Closet , or a secret Field with thee , Shall Lord , to me be far more dear , Than all the sensual Pleasures here , Than all the poyson'd sweets of Ease & Luxury . The ENQUIRY . By the same Hand . I 'VE searcht the barren World , but cannot find A Happiness for an Immortal Mind . Honours , Delights and Riches have all spent Their Smiles in vain , to give my Thoughts Content . The Joys they yield , but for a Moment last , And shrink to nothing when they 're close embrac't . They never satisfy , but feed desire , And bring fresh Fuel to a restless Fire . What 's one poor drop to him that almost bursts With fierce desires , and for an Ocean thirsts . My Mind can hold both the rich Indy's store , And find it self , as empty as before . The Treasures Earth throws in their purpose miss , Swallow'd and lost in that immense Abyss . I 've look'd o'er all the Riches Earth can shew . All that it Promises , but gives to few : And still some Intellectual Good I want , Some Happiness this World can never grant . Hence mighty God my Thoughts ascend to Thee , The spring of Good , and Man's Felicity . 'T is only thy Immensity can fill The thirsty Soul 's vast and immortal Will. This single Thought , that all Earth's Joys at Death Will end , and cease for ever with my Breath , Quite chills my Love , and lessens my Esteem , And makes a Kingdom but a trifle seem . I find my Soul 's misplac'd , it longs to see Some higher Good , some fix'd Felicity , Which it despairs to meet with , but in thee I 'm blest with Faculties to entertain Thy self , and sure thou mad'st them not in vain , And as I can , so I desire to be Made happy only in Enjoying thee ; My Wishes else unsatisfy'd return , And make me all my lost Endeavours mourn . Thou dost to All but Man Perfection grant , That with their Happiness upbraid my want No Hopes or Fears the quiet Stones molest , That sweetly in the Earth's low bosom rest . Trees to their height and perfect Stature grow , No farther Tendencies or Wishes know . Rich Flowers with daz'ling Glory crown the Year , And in their Smiles a perfect Beauty wear . Beasts that have all for which their Nature calls , Pleas'd with themselves , are happy Animals . Above the Earth their Wishes never fly , Nor thirst for Heav'n and Immortality . No Prospect of a greater Excellence , Makes them despise the low Delights of Sense , No knowledge of Eternity can shew To them , how short these Pleasures are below . They can no Dangers while at distance see , To interrupt their present Peace and Rest , From thoughts of Death and future Sorrows free , They are with undisturb'd Enjoyments blest . While Souls that can to higher Regions climb , And look beyond the whirling Pool of Time , Become unhappy by their Eminence , And serve but to disturb the sweets of Sense . When the sad Mind its sober thoughts emploies , And finds it self born for Eternal Joys , How Earth's unmanly , short Delights displease ? It rather will have none , than such as these . It thinks of all its noble Faculties , Then looks on Earth , and do's its Joys despise , Since I have such a Mind as this , would I Had never been , or may I never dy ? If no Delights are to be found above , What shall I seek on Earth , what shall I Love ? If this be all the Happiness design'd For anxious Man , wretched Immortal Mind ! Happy the Bruits that can't their State resent , That know no nobler Joys , and are content . If Man then can't a perfect State attain , His Soul and Appetites are made in vain . Man only is Felicity deny'd , Vex'd with desires , not to be satisfy'd , The Lord of All is most unhappy left , Of that Perfection Beasts enjoy , berest . But th' Author sure will not be most unkind To his best Workmanship , the Heav'n born Mind . He 's so benign he can't but let us have Objects for all the Appetites he gave . 'T is easy hence to know he does intend Himself shall be the Minds last Rest and End. On them he will at last himself bestow , That never sought their Happiness below . What this denies the other World will give , Where Saints shall in Immortal Glory live , Possest with Heav'n they shall for ever rest , Crown'd with Divine Delights , and with their Wishes blest . SOLILOQUY . By the same Hand . DOuble Allegiance , Lord , to thee I owe , Both as thy Subject and thy Creature too ; 'T were then in me the most ingrateful Guilt , Not to perform or suffer what thou wilt . My place is to obey , and not dispute A Will so good , a Power so absolute . Shall my Remonstrances to Heav'n be sent To plead the Justice of my Discontent ! For Life and Enjoyments here I stand Indebted to the Bounty of thy Hand . What thou art pleas'd to take I must resign , Yet thence sustain no Wrong , since Nothing 's mine , My Fortune 's mean ; the wisest and the best Of Soul that now in Heav'n outshine the rest , Liv'd in this vale of Tears despis'd and poor , Some wanted Necessaries , few had more . And shall I quarrel with my Fate , when God Afflicts me but to guide me with his Rod The sacred Path which all the Blest have trod ? Sure , Toil and Weariness must needs become The Lot of Travellers remote from Home . Pilgrims , as I am , while abroad they stay , Must quit th' Ambition to seem Rich and Gay . Amidst my Foes I 'm now a Stranger , where What 's tolerable , is accounted rare . Such Travellers can only Passage crave , And That , what e'er I miss , I 'm sure to have . All Suffrings here that can my Fears alarm , Afflict the Flesh , but work no further harm . Distress and Shame make not Heav'ns Servants seem More base or wretched in their Lord's Esteem . These can't his Favor from my Soul remove , Nor intercept the Pleasures of his Love. And Happiness to Him is quite unknown , Who cannot find it in that Love alone . From Riches free , I 'm free too from their Cares , Safe by my distance from their fatal Snares , An humble Fortune kindly does deny Th' Incentives of our Pride and Luxury . My weaker Vertue may be here secure , Which might not all th' Assaults of Wealth endure . So little Vessels may securely ride On a small River's smooth and gentle Tide ; Where weaker Winds with soft and easy Gales Scarce heave the Bosom of their humble Sails . But if they put to Sea , too late they find Their Sail unequal for a fiercer Wind. Hopeless they 're with impetuous Fury born , Split on the Rocks , or with the Tempest torn . Thus meaner Fortunes Vertue most befriend , Giving what 's fit , and more would but offend . Here we our Innocence can best ensure , And that 's the happyst State , that 's most secure . If now to Heav'n's so difficult the Road , What must it be with Wealth 's incumbring Load ? Do my Endeavours now succeed so well , And all Temptations with such ease repell , That my Ambition any harder Task Should crave , and for Herculean Labours ask , That I with Care and Toil should purchase Foes , And seek the Place that thickest dangers shews . Are those I cannot shun so few or slight , That fond of Ruin I would more invite ? This were to ravish Death it self , and scale The Gates of Hell , lest milder Arts should fail . I 'm born for Heav'n , and shall I chuse to stray , And shun the plainest and the safest way , That I a longer Journey may endure Through Roads more troublesome , and less secure ? Still meaner Fortunes are the safest found , Free from the Snares which Wealth and Pomp surround . The humble ground needs but a small desence , We ought to dread the rising Eminence , Where Sin does it's victorious Forces post , And dying Souls are in such numbers lost . Numbers , that give malicious Hell such joy , That glut the Grave , and greedy Death o'er cloy . The greatest danger that my fear should move , Is , lest the World should too obliging prove . She 's then most dang'rous when her smiling Art , And splendid Dress invite my yielding heart . But when she frowns , her Charms are lost , unless We 're fond of Misery , and court Distress . The Worlds unkindness may abate our love , Teach us to seek for Happiness above . Make us for high Eternal Joys enquire , And seek for Heav'n with more inflam'd desire . For still our wishes after Home and Rest , Are by the badness of their way increast . 'T is then from disbelief , and want of love To God , and those pure Joys prepar'd above . That in the meanest State we can't rejoice , And make not humble Poverty our Choice . That Wealth and Greatness we so little dread , Sought by the Living , curst so by the Dead . Blest with the hopes of Heav'n tho I've no more , 'T is Atheism to complain my Fortune's poor . The Man rich with these hopes may well imploy His saddest Hours in calm Delights and Joy. Who when a few short Hours are past , will know What Heav'n to make Men happy can bestow , For ever blest , if God can make them so . May I have these transporting hopes of Heav'n , And let me know that Happiness when given ; I 'll praise Heav'ns Goodness , tho opprest I ly With what mistaken Men call Misery . Why should I grieve for what I suffer here ? All these slight Troubles soon will disappear ; And what is not Eternal , is below my Fear . The Safety of a low State. Translated out of Seneca's Agamemnon , Chor. Argivarum . By the same Hand . THe treach'rous Fortune of a Royal Crown ; Places what evers rich and great , On a steep and slippery Seat. Whence with an easy Blast all tumble down . Proud Scepters can't command soft Peace and Rest , Nor chase uneasy Fears away ; They know no safe and happy Day , But endless Cares their Greatness still molest . The Lybian Sea not with such Fury raves , When heap'd up by rough Winds , the Sand Does in high tott'ring Mountains stand , And interrupts the loud impetuous Waves . Euxinus neighbor to the snowy Pole , — Where the bright Carman , by the Main Untoucht , drives round his shining Wain , Can't with such force his troubled Waters roll . As when Kings fall , turn'd round by rapid Fate , Kings , whose desire is to appear Awful , to move their Subjects fear , Which Fear does in themselves the like create . The Night , to hide 'em safe does Darkness want , Soft sleep , by which a troubled Breast Is loos'd , and lies dissolv'd in Rest , Can't charm the restless Cares that Princes haunt . The Men that born by too kind Fortune rise , Soon sink and fall down from their height , Prest by their own unequal weight , Which , those that envy'd , now as much despise . Great Fortunes can't their own vast Burden bear ; So the swift Ships expanded Sails Swoln out with too indulgent Gales , The Winds , they wish'd before , begin to fear . So a proud Tow'r thrusts his aspiring Head Among the flying Clouds , but finds The uneasy neighbourhood of Winds And Thunder-claps , that are around him bred . So the rude Storms that shake the bending Wood , Design an envious fatal stroke , To the ancient , well spread Oak , The Grove's Defence and Glory while it stood . High Hills the fairest mark for Thunder stand ; Great Bodies are but seldom sound , Such have most room to take a Wound ; And the fat Deer invites the Hunter's hand . What whisling Fortune does this day advance , It throws down with a greater fall ; Estates that are but low and small , Last a long quiet Age , secure from Chance . He 's only happy , that of meaner rank Does not his humble State resent , But with his Fortune still content , With a safe Wind Sails by the neighb'rng bank . Whose wary Boat that dares not trust her Oar To the rough usage of the Wind , And the wide Ocean seldom kind , Keeps still in prospect of the safer Shore . RIGHT ZEAL . By the same Hand . SUre there 's a Zeal that 's born of heav'nly Race , Whose Lineage in its Aspects you may trace ; The generous Fervour and admir'd Degree Of a victorious , healthful Piety . This quickens Souls grown stupid , and imparts An active Ferment to devouter Hearts . 'T is this invigorates decaying Grace , And sheds fresh Beauty on it's sickly Face . It works not out in Froth , nor will it vent In angry Heats its inward Discontent . Nor , for a Triffle , will to Blood contend , Nor all its Warmth in Noise and Censures spend . But meek and gentle as the Sacred Dove , 'T will on the Soul in kindly Breathings move . It smooths rough Nature , sweetens eager Blood , Expels the vicious part , and saves the good . It s heav'nly Birth and Nature it will prove , By universal Charity and Love , It will so widen a contracted Mind To the strait Compass of a Sect confin'd , It shall embrace those of a different Name , And find ev'n for their Enemies a Flame . 'T will pity smaller Faults , and those that stray Reduce with peaceful Methods to their way : It deals not Blows and Death about on those , Whose Errors some less useful Truth oppose ; Nor do's with Sword and Fire the Stubborn tame , It uses none but its own harmless Flame . In Reformations 't will some Faults endure , And not encrease the Wounds it seeks to cure . It stickles most on Love's and Mercy 's side , And checks the Heat and outrages of Pride . 'T will shed its own , not others Blood to gain The Peace it seeks , and mutual Love maintain This Zeal has always most Impatience shown , Where our Lord's Honour 's injur'd , not our own : Unaskt it can forgive an Injury , Still love the Author , and his Rage defy . Without this Zeal how meanly Grace appears , See what a sick consumptive Face it wears ! It 's Beauty faded , and its Vigour lost It seems departed Virtue 's meagre Ghost . Only this Zeal its Ruins can repair , And render its Complexion fresh and fair . Such Courage springs from this more active Grace , As can the various Shapes of Terrour face ; It makes us gladly take the Martyr's Crown , And meet the Flames , with greater of our own . No Straits , no Death it formidable thinks , Beneath whose force a sickly Virtue sinks : It gives the Soul the quickest , deepest Sense Of unseen Worlds , creates such diligence , As cheerfully dispatches all the Tasks That Heav'n prescribes , or our own safety asks . This Zeal is wary , not enflam'd by Pride , And walks not , but with Knowledge for its guide ; Nor will too hastily Advance , but stay To take Advice and Reason in its way . When it grows hot , 't is always certain too , And will its doubting Thoughts as calmly shew . Blest heav'nly Zeal ! how spiritful and fair Those Souls that feel its Influence , appear ! How much such Godlike Hero's us condemn , Whom they excel , as much as Angels , them . Let me this truly noble Zeal attain , And those that seek 'em , Wealth and Honour gain . My Portion 's then so great , not all the store Of worldly Treasures can enrich me more . TEMPTATIONS . By the same Hand . ALas , I walk not out , but still I meet Paths too perplex'd for my unwary Feet . At my return the calm and even Mind I carry'd forth , all discompos'd I find ; My weak Devotions slacken'd and unbent , And Passions loos'd grow loud and turbulent . My ruffled Mind with Sorrow secks in vain To rank and suit its displac'd Thoughts again : My careful Steps no place securely tread , Thick Snares o'er all th' enchanted Ground are spread . The smallest Inadvertencies expose Unguarded Virtue to our watchful Foes . Satan rejoyces ( if his Hell has Joy ) That , lost himself , He can Mankind destroy . Rav'nous as Lyons are , and strong as they , He does on Souls , as those on Bodies prey . He much to 's Skill , more to fall'n Nature trusts , And brings Temptations suited to our Lusts ; Temptations brings of Circe's Syren-Brood , By feeble Resolutions not withstood , Nor vanquish'd by faint Wishes to be good . Here some great Man's displeasure over aws Our fears of Sin ; there carnal Pleasure draws . In an alluring Dress it courts the Sense , Whilst yielding Nature faint Resistance makes , At last o'er come , gives up her Innocence , And , in exchange , Sin and Heav'ns anger takes . Sometimes a deadly Persecutors hate Will damp our Zeal , and Love to God abate ; Sometimes the envious Scorn on Virtue thrown , And the disgrace of being good Alone . But after the attractive baits of Sin , Call up the secret Sparks of Lust within ; Which taking fire burst out into a Flame , Which our disabled Reason cannot tame , Those Purposes small Opposition make , That once we thought no charms , no force could shake , But leave us to the power of Lustful Fires , And the wild Guidance of unclean Desires . But ah ! what After-pangs will This create , When sober Thoughts the sinful Act debate ? What guilty Blushes wounded Conscience wears See how it starts lash'd with its secret Fears ? It flies from Heav'n , the thoughts of God afright My troubled Soul , before , its chief Delight . Heav'ns frown blasts all my Joys ; tormenting Fears , The secret Stings of Conscience , Sighs , & Tears , Is all the sad Reward past Sins afford , For these I'm by my self , and God abhor'd . When Love would rise to Heav'n with fresh Delight , Conscience suggests my Guilt , and stays its slight : How dear a Moment's sinful Pleasures cost , God's Favour more than Life , I 've for it lost . One Sin can all my ancient Doubts restore , Makes me suspect the Conquests got before ; Makes me suspend the Hopes of heav'nly Bliss , And Tyrants ne'er found Torment , like to this . It makes me question all my Deeds , debate The future safety of my doubtful State. It strangely can undo what 's past , destroy My present , and revoke my former Joy. It shews old Sins to wound me with their view , And the sad Penitential Scene renew . What spreading Mischief is in Sin conceal'd ! By Man believ'd not , 'till too late reveal'd , Fool that I am such Torments to create , And buy Repentance at so dear a rate . Vpon a most Virtuous and Accomplish'd Young Gentleman , Who Died of the Small-Pox . By S. H. Esq . 1. OF our Dead Friends ill Truths we may not tell , Such spotless Honour in the Grave should dwell , Yet more a breach of Charity it seems To hide their Virtues , then to speak their Crimes ; How loudly then His worth should be proclaim'd Whom ev'ry Virtue grac'd , and not one Vice defam'd . 2. His Merits gain'd a Character so high , As Envy could not blast , nor Pride deny ; Above disguise He scorn'd all varnish'd Arts , And with Inherent Honour conquer'd Hearts . His Actions generous all , and squar'd by Truth ; With Age's Prudence bless'd , in the gay Bloom of Youth . 3. Gentle , offenceless , so averse to wrong , Obliging sweetness dwelt upon his Tongue , With Nature's richest Gifts so deck'd within , That Pride in him had scarce been judg'd a Sin ; His ready Wit no stop or bounds could know , But , like a gen'rous Spring , did clear and constant flow . 4. Not in his Grave more quiet can he find , Than always lodg'd in his unvary'd mind ; A Mind fit only for the Bless'd above , The Seat of Friendship , and the Throne of Love : In Heaven what matchless Glory has he gain'd , To bring from Earth a Soul by such an Age unstain'd . 5. The Hand of Fate seems partial to destroy ; Fond of the Happy , to the Wretched Coy : In plenty round him Fortune's Blessings lay , Which just attain'd , Fate summon'd him away . So parts the Shipwreck'd Merchant from his Gain , And ( sinking ) sees his Wealth Float round him on the Main . 6. No Humane skill the destin'd Hour could stay , And hovering Death was pleas'd with such a Prey ; Which to secure beyond the help of Art In every Pore he struck a Fatal Dart. The Vicious Life an easy Conquest lies , But Fate 's whole power invades , when sacred Virtue dies . To a LADY , Vpon the X. Commandments cut by Her on White-Paper , and Presented to S. John's College in Oxford . THe curious Wonders we preserve with Care , That the fair Hands of Cloyster'd Nuns prepare ; Who strive , poor Ladies ! with a fruitless Toil A miserable Solitude to beguile : Promoting what they to themselves deny , They Pride and Luxury to Mankind supply ; But in your Piece this Excellence we find , An Entertainment for the Eye , and Mind . A Sov'reign Judgment form'd the first Design So well the Matter and the Art combine ! No other Lines cou'd merit so much Art , No other Hand an equal Skill impart . The Masters see it , and their Plates disown , Asham'd of the rude Scratches they have done , The Printer boasts no more his Works do live , And Sybil's Leaves , and ancient Bark survive : But owns , that Art the longer Date deserves , Which Things in fairest Characters preserves ; At least , if we no more Pretensions name , The Author may a just Precedence claim ; Blind Chance did His on the dull Soldier throw , Another Palace kindly this bestow . Were all the holy Books transcrib'd anew , And in such beauteous Letters dress'd by You ; We ought the Iewish Rev'rence to retain , And institute new Masorites again . Our Tongue beneath that Sacred Character , Wou'd of Divine Original appear : And , what in Theirs was but a vain Pretence , Each Letter carry mighty Consequence : And oh ! how fit would that fair Mansion prove For th' ever-blest , and the Eternal Dove ! Th' officious Painter on the Altar draws In Golden Characters these Sacred Laws , But 't is the Gold commends the strokes he makes , His work a borrow'd Value from it takes ; While wisely You such slight Materials chuse , And solid Worth by acc'rate Art infuse ; Your Piece no glittering Advantage needs , Whose Value from the curious Work proceeds ; Yet by this Piece is represented best Th' unspotted Image seated in your Breast ; As Poets , labo'ring best their Sense t' express , Betray those Passions which their Souls possess , Just such your Writ appears , so heavenly fair The Angels Hand did scarce a fairer bear . We only fear least Those who come to see Should , unawares , commit Idolatry . The Holy Place a solemn Rev'rence fills , And deeper Awe , which this new Guest instils ; That hence we may but just Credentials call , To vouch the Sanction of th' Original : And might the Tables by those Fingers writ , Into the Holy of Holyests admit . HYMN . Veni Creator Spiritus . Englisht by Mr. Wright . 1. APproach Celestial Dove , Eternal Purity and Love , And where at first you did dispence A Being , Life , and Sence , In the same Breasts now place The very Soul of Life , Supernal Grace . 2. Thou Spring of Joy still growing , Fountain of Comfort ever flowing , Thou greatest Gift of the most Great , Thou Charity compleat , Unction Divine that brings The Sanctity of Priests , Grandeur of Kings . 3. Thou sevenfold Benefactor , Of all that 's Good , thou great transactor , Thou promis'd Gift from Heaven sent When from us Heaven went , Thou God of Eloquence That speakst to th' Intellect before the Sence . 4. Hither direct thy Ray , Thou Glorious Sun of lasting Day , And from that Sacred Heat inflame A Passion for thy Name ; So all our present Want Will be supply'd by that Celestial Grant. 5. Far , far , from us displace Th' Immortal Enemy of Grace ; And in all Hazards let us find Thy Peace , the Peace of Mind : We ask no more reward , Thou being thus our Conduct and and Guard. 6. True Faith on us bestow The Father-Deity to know ; And teach us by thy Inspiration , God the Son's Incarnation , Inform us then aright How you add one to them , yet all unite . 7. Eternal One , United Three , To you belongs all Majesty ; All Power , and all Dominion's due To you , and only you : All Glory , then , all Praise Divine United Three , Eternal One , be thine . JEPTHA's VOW . The ARGUMENT . Jeptha having rashly Vow'd ( if he succeeded in his Expedition against the Amonites ) to offer up in Sacrifice the First that should meet him from his own House ; He returns Victorious : The first that comes forth to welcome his Triumph , is his only Daughter , whom he Sacrifices according to his Vow . By N. Tate . BEfore the Altar the devoted Maid ( With Garlands crown'd and in white Robes array'd ) . Appears all Mild , to yield her destin'd Life , And waiting the slow Sacrificer's Knife . A Virgin Blush her Aspect purpled o'er , As young , and ne'er beheld by Crowds before ) ( Such Tincture Crimson'd Alablaster shows , Or Lillies shaded by a neighb'ring Rose . ) Yet gen'rous Resolution do's display , That with her Modesty bears equal Sway. She , only she , appears without surprize , And views the weeping Crowd with cheerful Eyes . Some call to mind the publick Service done , And Battle lately by her Father won ; His Blood 's Expence in Field to save the State , And with it the unhappy Victor's Fate . Of Age's last Reserve and Hopes bereft , His ancient House and Lineage Heirless left . The Younger sort bewail her blooming Charms , And grutch so fair a Prize to Death's cold Arms. The Nymph for whom the noblest Youths had pin'd , A Booty to the Thankless Grave assign'd . For now ( as Chance wou'd play the Tyrant's Part , And fret their Wounds with fresh Supplies of smart ) Those Beauties Nature had before conferr'd , Sublim'd and to Advantage all appear'd ; Their Grief was now to Consternation turn'd , They now Mourn silent , as before , they burn'd , Of this the Virgin do's Advantage take , And her afflicted Father thus bespake : To Ammon's Court , Great Sir , these Plaints remit ; These Plaints are only for the vanquisht fit . My self to Death's cold Arms I freely give , While you to shield our State and Altars live , You Rate my useless Life at Price too high To make me yours , and Israel's Victim Dye ! More than my Merits or my Hopes could claim , To purchase with few Years Immortal Fame . With Comfort to your Palace , Sir , repair To cherrish Her that 's now your only Care : My tender Mother's Sorrow to asswage : For only You can check the Tyrant's Rage . Forget your Worthless Daughter , and survive By your Example to keep Her Alive . You else resign your Laurels to the Foe , And Conquer'd Ammon Triumphs in your Woe . Or have you lavish'd all your Love away On my past Years — Reserv'd no Kindness for my latest Day ? If my past Life did you in ought offend , In Death at least I wou'd my Fault amend , And to the Shades a guiltless Soul descend . O Torture ( the distracted Father crys , With Arms extended and uplifted Eyes ) Too much , ye conscious Skies , for Man to bear ! For This is Torment that exceeds despair . The weeping Crowd around he then survey'd , O if the Death of this Illustrious Maid You wretched makes , her Death you only see , What must the Murtherer her Father be ? In Innocence your Sorrow finds Relief ; I bear the double Load of Guilt and Grief . Worldly Greatness . By Mr. Ezr. Simson . WHat 's worldly Empire , Pomp & Pow'r ? The Pageant-Triumph of an Hour . Or if the Courtesy of Fate Prolong the Scene an Age's Date , 'T is all that Fortune can bestow : And if for Life's time lasts the Show , Not to a Minute 't will amount In vast Eternity's Account . Were Heav'n so pleas'd , one Monarch may Arrive to universal Sway ; Mankind in sole Subjection have , Yet to his Passions be a Slave . Their stronger Forces shall invest Alarm , Assault , and Storm his Brest , And with the Havock there they make , Keep Him , as He the World , Awake . HUMILITY . By the same Hand . MUch injur'd Grace , for being Mild , Meaness of Spirit Thou art stil'd : Thus sensless Mortals Thee defame , Who dost with Heav'n Alliance claim : 'T is Thou alone that dost inspire The Greatness that brave Souls Admire . The proudest Heroes of the Field To Thee the Prize of Fame must yield , To Thee belongs the first Renown , Thou only can'st the Glory own To Triumph o'er Fate 's outmost Force , And Steer in Storms a steddy Course . When Fortune tempts with flatt'ring Wiles , Thou only canst resist her Smiles ; And when her angry Tempests rise , Thou only canst her Frowns despise . On the Day of Iudgment : By the E. of Roscommon . THe Day of Wrath , that dreadful Day , That shall the World in Ashes lay , 'T is coming — will not , cannot stay . The Last loud Trumpet 's wondrous Sound Shall through the cleaving Graves rebound , And Wake the Nations under Ground . Nature and Death shall , with supprise , Behold the conscious Wretches rise , And view their Judge with frighted Eyes . Then shall , with universal Dread , The sacred Mystick Rolls be read , To try the Living and the Dead . The Judge ascends his awful Throne ; But when he makes all Secrets known , How will a Guilty Face be shown ? What Intercessor shall I take , To save my last important stake ; When the most Just have cause to quake ? Thou mighty Formidable King , Mercy and Truths eternal Spring , Some Charitable Pity bring . Forget not what my Ransom cost ; Nor let my dear bought Soul be lost In storms of guilty Terror tost . Thou who for me hast felt such Pain , Whose precious Blood the Cross did stain ; Let not thy Birth and Death be Vain . Thou whom avenging Powers obey , Remit , before the Reckoning Day , The Debt which I can never pay . Surrounded with amazing Fears , Whose Load my Soul with Anguish bears , I sigh , I weep : Accept my Tears . Thou who wast mov'd with Mary's Grief , And by Absolving of the Thief Hast given me Hopes , oh ! give me relief . Oh! let thy Blood my Crimes deface , And fix me with those Heirs of Grace Whom Thou on thy Right-hand shalt place . From that Portentuous vast Abyss , Where Flames devour , and Serpents hiss , Call me to thy Eternal Bliss . Prostrate , my contrite Heart I rend ; My God , my Father , and my Friend , Do not forsake me in my end . When Justice shall her Sword unsheath , How will they Curse their second Breath , Who rise to a severer Death ? Great God of Mercies pitty take On Souls thou didst Immortal make , Nor let their State be that of Woe , Which must , if Once , be ever so . FINIS . THE CONTENTS . THe Morning Hymn , by Dr. Fuller , formerly Bp. of Lincoln . Page 1 An Evening Hymn , by Ezr. Simson . 2 Innocence ; Or the Inestimable Gem , by a Young Lady . 3 By Dr. Fuller . 5 By the same Hand . 6 By the same Hand . 7 Hymn . 8 The Passing-Bell . 9 Job's Curse , by Dr. Jeremy Taylor . 11 The Words by a Young Lady . 12 A Dialogue between two Penitents . 13 Vpon a Quiet Conscience , by K. Charles the First . 16 A Dialogue betwixt Dives and Abraham . Ibid. Soliloquy . 18 Psalm the 104 , by Mr. Tate . 21 The Evening Hymn . 27 On our Saviour's Passion . pag. 28 The Penitent , by Dr. Jeremy Taylor , 29 The Blessed Virgin 's Expostulation , when our Saviour at 12 Years of Age had withdrawn himself , by N. Tate . 30 On Pilate's exposing our Lord to the Jews , and saying to them , Behold the Man. 32 Translations out of Boethius , Lib. 2. Metre the Fourth . 35 Metre Fifth . 36 Metre Sixth . 37 The last Trumpet , by Mr. Tate . 38 The Slaughter of the Innocents , By the same Hand . 39 Vpon the Sight of an Anatomy , by Mr. Tate . 40 Psalm the First , by Capt. Walker . 45 Psalm 57. 8 , 9 , 10. By the same Hand . 47 A Paraphrase on the 79th Psalm . 48 The Convert . An Ode written by Mr. Geo. Herbert , 51 The Prophet Elijah translated up to Heaven , by Mr. Tate . 53 Hymn , by H. W. 58 Hezekiah's Sickness and Recovery , by Mr. Tate . 60 On the Death of Mr 〈◊〉 who was found Dead upon his Kn 〈…〉 hamber . 65 A Paraphrase on several Texts of Scripture , expressing the Sighs of a Penitent Soul. Translated from Herm. Hugo . 68 On Psalm 6. Vers. 3 , 69 On Ieremiah 9. Vers. 1. 71 On Psalm 69. Vers. 15. 73 On Psalm 143. Vers. 2. 74 A Psalm . 75 On Psalm 31. Vers. 10. By N. Tate . 77 Out of Hermannus Hugo . 79 On Easter-day , By an unknown Hand . 82 A Preparation to Prayer , By the same Hand . pag. 85 Gold is try'd in the Fire , and acceptable Men in time of Adversity . By the same Hand . 87 On Affliction . By the same Hand . 89 Psalm the 137 , Paraphras'd to Verse 7th . By the same Hand . 91 The Second Chapter of the Wisdom of Solomon , Paraphras'd ; The first 12 Lines being an Introduction . By the same Hand . 93 The Chapter begins . 94 Solitude . 98 The Enquiry . By the same Hand . 102 Soliloquy . By the same Hand . 107 The Safety of a low State ; Translated out of Seneca's Agamemnon , Chor. Argiv . By the same Hand . pag. 112 Right Zeal . By the same Hand . 116 Temptations . By the same Hand . 119 Vpon a most Virtuous and Accomplish'd Young Gentleman , who Died of the Small-Pox . By S. H. Esq 123 To a Lady , upon the X. Commendments cut by her on White-paper , and Presented to S. John's College in Oxford . 126 Hymn , Veni Creator Spiritus , Englished by Mr. Wright . 129 Jeptha's Vow , by N. Tate . 132 Worldly Greatness , by Mr. Ezr. Simson , 136 Humility . By the same Hand . 137 On the Day of Iudgment , By the E. of Roscommon . 138 TWo Books of Harmonia Sacra , in which are several Hymns , &c. of this Collection , Set to Musick by Dr. Blow , the late famous Mr. Henry Purcell , and other Masters Bound both Parts 15 s. or the 2 d Part 4 s. 
A25742	----	Order and disorder, or, The world made and undone being meditations upon the creation and the fall : as it is recorded in the beginning of Genesis. Apsley, Allen, Sir, 1616-1683. 1679 Approx. 158 KB of XML-encoded text transcribed from 43 1-bit group-IV TIFF page images. Text Creation Partnership, Ann Arbor, MI ; Oxford (UK) : 2005-12 (EEBO-TCP Phase 1). A25742 Wing A3594 ESTC R31266 11870016 ocm 11870016 50109 This keyboarded and encoded edition of the work described above is co-owned by the institutions providing financial support to the Early English Books Online Text Creation Partnership. This Phase I text is available for reuse, according to the terms of Creative Commons 0 1.0 Universal . The text can be copied, modified, distributed and performed, even for commercial purposes, all without asking permission. Early English books online. (EEBO-TCP ; phase 1, no. A25742) Transcribed from: (Early English Books Online ; image set 50109) Images scanned from microfilm: (Early English books, 1641-1700 ; 996:22) Order and disorder, or, The world made and undone being meditations upon the creation and the fall : as it is recorded in the beginning of Genesis. Apsley, Allen, Sir, 1616-1683. [7], 78 p. Printed by Margaret White for Henry Mortlock ..., London : 1679. In verse. Attributed to Apsley by Wing and NUC pre-1956 imprints. Reproduction of original in the Huntington Library. Created by converting TCP files to TEI P5 using tcp2tei.xsl, TEI @ Oxford. Re-processed by University of Nebraska-Lincoln and Northwestern, with changes to facilitate morpho-syntactic tagging. Gap elements of known extent have been transformed into placeholder characters or elements to simplify the filling in of gaps by user contributors. 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Copies of the texts have been issued variously as SGML (TCP schema; ASCII text with mnemonic sdata character entities); displayable XML (TCP schema; characters represented either as UTF-8 Unicode or text strings within braces); or lossless XML (TEI P5, characters represented either as UTF-8 Unicode or TEI g elements). Keying and markup guidelines are available at the Text Creation Partnership web site . eng Creation -- Early works to 1800. Religious poetry, English -- Early modern, 1500-1700. 2005-03 TCP Assigned for keying and markup 2005-03 Apex CoVantage Keyed and coded from ProQuest page images 2005-04 Emma (Leeson) Huber Sampled and proofread 2005-04 Emma (Leeson) Huber Text and markup reviewed and edited 2005-10 pfs Batch review (QC) and XML conversion Licensed , March 10. 1678 / 9. ROG . L'ESTRANGE . Order and Disorder : OR , THE WORLD MADE AND UNDONE . BEING MEDITATIONS UPON THE CREATION and the FALL ; As it is recorded in the beginning of GENESIS . LONDON , Printed by Margaret White for Henry Mortlock at the Phoenix in St. Paul's Church-yard , and at the White Hart in Westminster Hall. 1679. The PREFACE . THese Meditations were not at first design'd for publick view , but fix'd upon to reclaim a busie roving thought from wandring in the pernicious and perplexed maze of humane inventions ; whereinto the vain curiosity of youth had drawn me to consider and translate the account some old Poets and Philosophers give of the original of things : which though I found it , blasphemously against God , and bruitishly below the reason of a man , set forth by some , erroniously , imperfectly , and uncertainly , by the best ; yet had it fill'd my brain with such foolish fancies , that I found it necessary to have recourse to the fountain of Truth , to wash out all ugly wild impressions , and fortifie my mind with a strong antidote against all the poyson of humane Wit and Wisdome that I had been dabling withal . And this effect I found ; For comparing that revelation , God gives of himself and his operations , in his Word , with what the wisest of mankind , who only walk'd in the dim light of corrupted nature and defective Traditions , could with all their industry trace out , or invent ; I found it so transcendently excelling all that was humane , so much above our narrow reason , and yet so agreeable to it being rectified , that I disdained the Wisdome fools so much admire themselves for ; and as I found Icould know nothing but what God taught me , so I resolv'd never to search after any knowledge of him and his productions , but what he himself hath given forth . Those that will be wise above what is written , may hug their Philosophical clouds , but let them take heed they find not themselves without God in the world , adoring figments of their own brains , instead of the living and true God. Lest that arrive by misadventure , which never shall by my consent , that any of the pudled water , my wanton youth drew from the prophane Helicon of ancient Poets , should be sprinkled about the world , I have for prevention sent forth this Essay ; with a Profession that I disclaim all doctrines of God and his works , but what I learn out of his own word , and have experienc'd it to be a very unsafe and unprofitable thing for those that are young , before their faith be fixed , to exercise themselves in the study of vain , foolish , atheistical Poesie . It is a miracle of grace and mercy , if such be not depriv'd of the light of Truth , who having shut their eyes against that Sun , have , instead of looking up to it , hunted gloworms in the ditch bottoms . It is a misery I cannot but bewail , that when we are young , whereas the lovely characters of Truth should be imprest upon the tender mind and memory , they are so fill'd up with ridiculous lies , that 't is the greatest business of our lives , assoon as ever we come to be serious , to cleanse out all the rubbish , our grave Tutors laid in when they taught us to study and admire their inspired Poets and divine Philosophers . But when I have thus taken occasion , to vindicate my self from those heathenish Authors I have been conversant in , I cannot expect my work should find acceptance in the world , declaring the more full and various delight I have found in following Truth by its own conduct ; Nor am I much concern'd how it be entertain'd , seeking no glory by it , but what is render'd to him to whom it is only due . If any one of no higher a pitch than my self , be as much affected and stirr'd up in the reading , as I have been in the writing , to admire the glories and excellencies of our great Creator , to fall low before him , in the sense of our own vileness , and to adore his Power , his Wisdome , and his Grace , in all his dealings with the children of men , it will be a success above my hopes ; though my charity makes me wish every one that hath need of it the same mercy I have found . I know I am obnoxious to the censures of two sorts of people : First , those that understand and love the elegancies of Poems , They will find nothing of fancy in it ; no elevations of stile , no charms of language , which I confess are gifts I have not , nor desire not in this occasion ; for I would rather breath forth grace cordially than words artificially . I have not studied to utter any thing that I have not really taken in . And I acknowledge all the language I have , is much too narrow to express the least of those wonders my soul hath been ravisht with in the contemplation of God and his Works . Had I had a fancy , I durst not have exercis'd it here ; for I tremble to think of turning Scripture into a Romance ; and shall not be troubled at their dislike who dislike on that account ; and profess they think no poem can be good that shuts out drunkenness , and lasciviousness , and libelling Satyr , the theams of all their celebrated songs . These , ( though I will not much defend my ownweakness ) dislike not the Poem so much as the subject of it . But there are a second sort of people , whose Genius not lying that way , and seeing the common and vile abuse of Poesie , think Scripture prophan'd by being descanted on in numbers ; but such will pardon me when they remember a great part of the Scripture was originally written in verse ; and we are commanded to exercise our spiritual mirth in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs ; which if I have weakly compos'd , yet 't is a consenting testimony with the whole Church , to the mighty and glorious truths of God which ir not altogether impertinent , in this atheistical age ; and how imperfect soever the hand be , that copies it out , Truth loses not its perfection , and the plainest as well as the elegant , the elegant as well as the plain , make up a harmony in confession and celebration of that all-creating , all-sustaining God , to whom be all honour and glory for ever and ever . MEDITATIONS ON THE CREATION , As recorded in the First Chapter of Genesis . MY ravisht soul , a pious ardour fires , To sing those mystick wonders it admires , Contemplating the Rise of every thing That , with Times birth , flow'd from th' eternal spring : And the no less stupendious Providence By which discording Natures ever since Have kept up universal Harmonie ; While in one joynt obedience all agree , Performing that to which they were design'd With ready inclination ; But Mankind Alone rebels against his Makers will , Which tho' opposing he must yet fulfill . And so that wise Power , who each crooked stream Most rightly guides , becomes the glorious theam Of endless admiration , while we see , Whatever mortals vain endeavours be , They must be broken who with Power contend , And cannot frustrate their Creators End , Whose Wisdom , Goodness , Might and Glory shines In guiding mens unto his own designs . In these outgoings would I sing his praise , But my weak sense with the too glorious rays Is struck with such confusion , that I find Only the worlds first Chaos in my mind , Where Light and Beauty lie wrapt up in seed , And cannot be from the dark prison freed , Except that Power , by whom the world was made , My soul in her imperfect strugglings aid , Her rude conceptions into forms dispose , And words impart , which may those forms disclose . O thou eternal spring of glory , whence All other streams derive their excellence , From whose Love issues every good desire , Quicken my dull earth with celestial fire , And let the sacred theam that is my choice , Give utterance and musick to my voice , Singing the works by which thou art reveal'd . What dark Eternity hath kept conceal'd From mortals apprehensions , what hath been Before the race of Time did first begin , It were presumptuous folly to enquire . Let not my thoughts beyond their bound aspire , Time limits mortals , and Time had its birth , In whose Beginning God made Heaven and Earth . God , the great Elohim , to say no more , Whose sacred Name we rather must adore Than venture to explain ; for He alone Dwells in himself , and to himself is known . And so , even that by which we have our sight , His covering is , He clothes himself with light . Easier we may the winds in prison shut , The whole vast Ocean in a nut-shell put , The Mountains in a little ballance weigh , And with a Bullrush plumm the deepest Sea , Than stretch frail humane thought unto the height Of the great God , Immense , and Infinite , Containing all things in himself alone , Being at once in all , contain'd in none . Yet as a hidden spring appears in streams , The Sun is seen in its reflected beams , Whose high embodied Glory is too bright , Too strong an object for weak mortal sight ; So in Gods visible productions , we What is invisible , in some sort see ; While we considering each created thing , Are led up to an uncreated spring , And by gradations of successive Time , At last unto Eternity do climb , As we in tracks of second causes tread Unto the first uncaused cause are led ; And know , while we perpetual motion see There must a first self-moving Power be , To whom all the inferiour motions tend , In whom they are begun , and where they end . This First eternal Cause , th' Original Of Being , Life , and Motion , GOD we call ; In whom all Wisdome , Goodness , Glory , Might , Whatever can himself or us delight Unite , centring in his Perfection , Whose Nature can admit but only One : Divided Soveraignty makes neither great , Wanting what 's shar'd to make the summ compleat . And yet this soveraign sacred Unitie Is not alone , for in this one are three , Distinguisht , not divided , so that what One person is , the other is not that ; Yet all the three , are but one God most High , One uncompounded , pure Divinity , Wherein subsist so , the Mysterious three , That they in Power and Glory equal be ; Each doth himself , and all the rest possess In undisturbed joy and blessedness . There 's no Inferiour , nor no Later there , All Coeternal , all Coequal , are . And yet this Parity Order admits . The Father first , eternally begets , Within himself , his Son , substantial Word And Wisdom , as his second , and their third The ever blessed spirit is , which doth Alike eternally proceed from both . These three , distinctly thus , in one Divine , Pure , Perfect , Self-supplying Essence shine : And all cooperate in all works done Exteriourly , yet so , as every one , In a peculiar manner suited to His Person , doth the common action do . Herein the Father is the Principal , Whose sacred counsels are th' Original Of every Act ; produced by the Son , By'the Spirit wrought up to perfection . I' the Creation thus , by'the Fathers wise decree , Such things should in such time , and order be , The first foundation of the world was laid . The Fabrique , by th' Eternal Word , was made Not as th' instrument , but joynt actor , who Joy'd to fulfill the counsels which he knew . By the concurrent Spirit all parts were Fitly dispos'd , distinguisht , rendred fair , In such harmonious and wise order set , As universal Beauty did compleat . This most mysterious Triple Unitie , In Essence One , and in subsistence Three , Was that great Elohim , who first design'd , Then made the Worlds , that Angels and Mankind Him in his rich out-goings might adore , And celebrate his praise for evermore ; Who from Eternity himself supplied , And had no need of any thing beside , Nor any other cause that did him move To make a World , but his extensive Love , It self delighting to communicate ; Its Glory in the creatures to dilate , While they are led by their own excellence T' admire the first , pure , high Intelligence , By all the Powers and vertues which they have , To that Omnipotence who those Powers gave ; By all their glories and their joys to his , Who is the fountain of all joy and bliss ; By all their wants and imbecillities , To the full magazine of rich supplies , Where Power , Love , Justice , and Mercy shine In their still fixed heights , and ne're decline . No streams can shrink the self-supplying spring , No retributions can more fulness bring To the eternal fountain , which doth run In sacred circles , ends where it begun , And thence with inexhausted life and force Begins again a new , yet the same course It instituted in Times infant birth , When the Creator first made Heaven and Earth . Time though it all things into motion bring Is not it self any substantial thing , But only Motions measure ; As a twin Born with it ; and they both at once begin With the existence of the rolling sphere , Before which neither time nor motion were . Time being a still continued number , made By the vicissitude of Light and Shade , By the Moons growth , and by her waxing old , By the successive Reign of heat and cold , Thus leading back all ages to the womb Of vast Eternity from whence they come , And bringing new successions forth , until Heaven its last revolutions shall fulfil , And all things unto their first state restore , When Motion ceasing , Time shall be no more ; But with the visible Heavens shall expire While they consume in the worlds funeral fire ; Th' invisible Heavens being still the same , Shall not be toucht by the devouring flame . Treating of which , let 's wave Platonick dreams Of Worlds made in Idea , fitter theams For Poets fancies , than the reverent view Of Contemplation , fixt on what is true And only certain , kept upon record In the Creators own revealed word , Which when it taught us how our world was made , Wrapt up th' invisible in mystique shade . Yet through those clouds we see , God did create A place his presence doth irradiate . Where he doth in his brightest lustre shine ; Yet doth not his own Heaven , him confine : Although the Paradise of the fair world above , Each where perfum'd with sweet respiring Love , Refresht with Pleasures never shrinking streams , Illustrated with Lights unclouded beams , The happy land of peace and endless Rest Which doth both soul and sense with full joys feast , Feasts that extinguish not the appetite Which is renew'd to heighten the delight . Here stands the Tree of life , deckt with fair fruit , Whose leaves health to the nations contribute . The spreading , true celestial Vine Where fruitful grafts and noble clusters shine . Here Majesty and Grace together meet ; The Grace is glorious , and the Glory sweet . Here is the Throne of th' universal King To which the suppliant world addresses bring . Here next him doth his Son in triumph sit , Waiting till all his foes lie at his feet . Here is the Temple of his Holiness , The Sanctuary for all sad distress . Here is the Saints most sure inheritance To which they all their thoughts and hopes advance . Here their rich recompence and safe rest lies , For this they all th' inferiour world despise ; Yet not for this alone , though this excel , But for that Deity who here doth dwell ; For heaven it self to Saints no heaven were Did not their God afford his presence there ; But now , as he inhabits it , it is The treasure-house of everlasting bliss , The Fathers house , the Pilgrims home , the Port Of happiness , th' illustrious Regal Court , The City that on the worlds summit stands , United in it self , not made with hands ; Whose Citizens , Walls , Pavements are so bright They need no Sun in Gods more radiant Light. The pure air being not thickned with dark clouds , No sable night the constant glory shrowds ; Nor needs there night , when no dull lassitude Doth into the unwearied soul intrude ; New vigour flowing in with that dear joy Whose contemplation doth their lives employ . This heaven , the third to us within , The first , if from the outside we begin , Is incorruptible , and still the same , Confirm'd by him who did its substance frame : No time its strong foundations can decay , It s renew'd glory fadeth not away . The other heavens which it doth enfold , In tract of time as garments shall wax old , And all their outworn glory shall expire In the worlds dreadful last devouring fire ; But this shall still unchangeable remain , While all the rolling Spheres which it contains Shall be again into their Chaos whirl'd At the last dissolution of the world . For God , who made this blessed place to be The habitation of his Sanctitie , Admitting nothing into it that 's vile , Nothing that can corrupt , or can defile , Never withdraws his gracious presence thence But is on all the Glory a defence . Nor are his Gates ere shut by night or day , His only dread keeps all foes far away . He not for need , but for Majestick state , Innumerable hosts of Angels did create To be his outguards , in respect of whom He doth his name El-tzeboim assume . These perfect , pure Intelligences be , Excel in Might , and in Celeritie , Whose sublime natures , and whose agile powers , Are vastly so superiour unto ours , Our narrow thoughts cannot to them extend , And things so far above us comprehend , As in themselves , although in part we know , Some scantlings by appearances below , And sacred Writ , wherein we find there be Distinguisht Orders in their Hierarchie ; Arch-Angels , Cherubims , and Seraphims , Who celebrate their God with holy Hymns . Ten thousand thousand vulgar Angels stand All in their ranks , waiting the Lords command , Which with prompt inclination of their will , And chearful , swift obedience they fulfil ; Whether he them to save poor men employ , Or send them arm'd , proud rebels to destroy ; Whether he them to mighty Monarchs send , Or bid them on poor Pilgrim Saints attend , Whether they must in heavenly lustre go , Or walk in mortal mean disguise below : So kind , so humble are they , though so high , They do it with the same alacrity . Why blush we not at our vain pride , when we Such condescension in Heavens Courtiers see , That they who sit on heavenly thrones above , Scorn not to serve poor worms with fervent Love ? And joyful praises to th' Almighty sing , When they a mortal to their own home bring ? How gracious is the Lord of all , that He Should thus consider poor mortalitie , Such powers for us , into those powers diffuse , Such glorious servants , in our service , use ? Who whether they , with Light , or Heaven , had Creation , were within the six days made . But leave we looking through the vail , nor pry Too long on things wrapt up in mystery , Reserv'd to be our wonder at that time , When we shall up to their high mountain climb . Besides th' Empyrean heaven we are told Of divers other heavens which we behold Only by Reasons eye , yet were not they If made at least distinguisht the first day . Then from the height we cannot comprehend , Let us to our inferiour world descend . The Earth at first was a vast empty place , A rude congestion without form or grace , A confus'd mass of undistinguisht feed , Darkness the deep , the Deep the solid hid : Where things did in unperfect Causes sleep , Until Gods Spirit mov'd the quiet deep , Brooding the creatures under wings of Love , As tender birds hatcht by a Turtle Dove . Light first of all its radiant wings display'd , God call'd forth Light : that word the creature made . Whether it were the natures more divine , Or the bright mansion where just souls must shine , Or the first matter of those Tapers which The since-made firmament do still enrich , It is not yet agreed among the wise : But thus the day did out of Chaos rise , And casts its bright beams on the floating world , O're which soon envious night her black mists hurl'd , Damping the new born splendour for a space , Till the next morning did her shadows chace : With restor'd beauty and triumphant force , Returning to begin another course , An emblem of that everlasting feud 'Twixt sons of light , and darkness still pursued ; And of that frail imperfect state wherein The wasting lights of mortal men begin ; Whose comforts , honours , lives , soon as they shine Must all to sorrows , changes , death resign ; Even their wisdomes and their vertues light Are hid by envies interposing night . But though these splendors all in graves are thrown , Whereever the true feed of light is sown , The Powers of Darkness may contend in vain , It shall a conquerour rise and ever reign . For when God the victorious morning view'd , Approving his own work he said 't was good : And of inanimate creatures sure the best , As that which shews and beautifies the rest , Those melancholy thoughts which night creates And seeds in mortal bosomes , dissipates : In its own nature subtile , swift and pure , Which no polluted mirrour can endure . By it th' Almighty Maker doth dispence To earthy creatures , heavenly influence ; By it with angels swiftness are our eyes , Exalted to the glory of the skies . In whose bright character the light divine , Which flesh cannot behold , doth dimly shine . Thus was the first Day made ; God so call'd Light , Sever'd from Darkness , Darkness was the Night . Canto II. AGain spoke God ; the trembling waters move , Part flie up in thick mists , made clouds above , Part closer shrink about the earth below , But did not yet the mountains dry heads show . Th' allforming Word stretcht out the Firmament , Like azure curtains round his glorious Tent , And in its hidden chambers did dispose The magazines of Hail , and Rain , and Snows , Amongst those thicker clouds , from whose dark womb Th' imprison'd winds , in flame and thunder come . Those Clouds which over all the wondrous Arch Like hosts of various formed creatures march , And change the Scenes in our admiring eyes ; Who sometimes see them like vast mountains rise . Sometimes like pleasant Seas with clear waves glide , Sometimes like Ships on foaming billows ride , Sometimes like mounted warriours they advance , And seem to fire the smoaking Ordinance . Sometimes like shady Forests they appear , Here Monsters walking , Castles rising there . Scorn Princes your embroider'd Canopies , And painted roofs , the poor whom you despise With far more ravishing delight are fed , While various clouds sayl o're th' unhoused head , And their heav'd eyes with nobler scenes present Than your Poetick Courtiers can invent . Thus the exalted waters were dispos'd , And liquid Skies the solid world enclos'd , To magnifie the most almighty hand , That makes thin floods like rocks of crystal stand , Not quenching , nor drunk up by that bright wall Of fire , which neighbouring them , encircles all . The new built Firmament God Heaven nam'd , And over all the Arch his windows fram'd . From whence his liberal hand at due time pours Upon the thirsty earth refreshing showers ; And clothes her bosome with descending Snow To cherish the young seeds when cold winds blow : Hence every night his fatning dews he sheds , And scatters Pearls amidst th' enamel'd beds . But when presumptuous sins the bright arch scale , He beats them back with terrifying hail : Which like small shot amidst his foes he sends , Till flaming Thunder , his great Ordnance , rends The clouds , which , big with horror , ready stand To pour their burthens forth at his command . But th' unpolluted air as yet had not From mortals impious breath infection got , Enlightned then by a superiour ray A serene lustre deckt the second day . Th' inferiour Globe was fashion'd on the third , When waters at the all-commanding word Did hastily into their channels glide , And the uncover'd hills as soon were dried . In the same body thus , distinct , and joyn'd , Water and earth , as flesh and blood , we find . The late collected waters God call'd Seas . Springs , Lakes , streams , and broad Rivers are from these Brancht , like life-feeding veins , in every land , Yet wheresoe're they seem to flow or stand , As all in the vast Oceans bosome bred , They daily reassemble in their head , Which thorough secret conduits back conveys To every Spring , the tribute that it pays . So ages from th' Eternal bosome creep , So lose them selves again in that vast deep . So Empires , so all other humane things , With winding streams run to their native springs . So all the goodness mortals exercise Flows back to God out of his own supplies . Now the great fabrick in all parts compleat , Beauty was call'd forth to adorn the seat ; Where Earth , fixt in the Centre , was the ground , A mantle of light air compast it round ; Then first the watrie , then the fiery wall , And glittering heaven last involving all . Earth's fair green robe vi'd with the azure skies , Her proud Woods near the flaming Towers did rife . The valleys Trees , though less in breadth and height , Yet hung with various fruit , as much delight . Beneath these little shrubs and bushes sprung With fair flowers cloth'd , and with rich berries hung , Whos 's more delightful fruits seem'd to upbraid The tall trees yielding only barren shade . Then sprouted Grass and Herbs and Plants Prepar'd to feed the earth's inhabitants , To glad their nostrils , and delight their eyes , Revive their spirits , cure their maladies . Nor by these are the senses only fed , But th' understanding too , while we may read In every leaf , lectures of Providence , Eternal Wisdom , Love , Omnipotence . Which th' eye that sees not , with Hells mists is blind , That which regards not , is of bruitish kind . The various colours , figures , powers of these Are their Creators growing witnesses , Their glories emblems are , wherein we see How frail our humane lives and beauties be . Even like those flowers which at the Sun-rise spread Their gawdy leaves , and are at evening dead . Yet while they in their native lustre shine , The Eastern Monarchs are not half so fine In richer robes God clothes the dirty soyl Than men can purchase by their sin and toyl . Then rather Fields than painted Courts admire , Yet seeing both , think both must feed the fire : Only Gods works have roots and seeds , from whence They spring again in grace and excellence , But mens have none , like hasty lightning , they Flash out , and so for ever pass away . This fair Creation finisht the third day , In whose end , God did the whole work survey , The Seas , the Skies , the Trees , and less plants view'd , And by his approbation made them good ; In all the plants did living seeds enclose , Whence their successive generations rose ; Gave them those powers which in them still remain , Whereby they man and beast with food sustain . Thrice had the day to gloomy night resign'd , And thrice victorious o're the darkness shin'd , Before the mediate cause of it , the Sun Or any star had their creation , For with th' Omnipotent it is all one To cause the day without , or by the Sun. God in the world by second causes reigns , But is not tied to those means he ordains . Let no heart faint then that on him depends , When the means fail , that lead to their wisht ends . For God the thing , if good , will bring about With instruments we see not , or without . The fourth Light having now expell'd the shade God on that day the Luminaries made , And plac'd them all in their peculiar sphears To measure out our days , and months , and years , Which by their various motions are renew'd , And heat and cold have their vicissitude : So Springs and Autumns still successive be , Till ages lose them in Eternity . The Sun whom th' Hebrews Gods great servant call , Plac'd in the middle Orb , as Lord of all , Is in a radiant flaming chariot whirl'd , And dayly carried round abut the world By the first Movers force , who in that race Scatters his light and heat in every place , Yet not at once . Now in the East he shines , And then again to'the Western deep declines , Seeming to quench his blazing taper there While it enlightens the other Hemisphere . Thus he their share of day and night divides Unto each world in their alternate tides . But then its Orb by its own motion roll'd , Varies the seasons , brings in heat and cold , As it projects its rays in a straight line , Or more obliquely on the Earth doth shine . And thus doth he to the low world dispense Life-feeding and engendring influence . This Lord of Day with his reflected light Guilds the pale Moon the Empress of the night , Whose dim Orb monthly wastes and grows , Doth at the first sharp pointed horns disclose , Then half , then her full shining Globe reveals , Which waining she by like degrees conceals . The other glittering Planets now appear Each as a King enthron'd in his own Sphear ; Then the eighth heaven in fuller lustre shines Thick set with stars . All these were made for signs That mortals by observing them might know Due times to cultivate the earth below , To gather fruits , plant trees , and sow their seed , To cure their herds , and let their fair flocks breed , Into safe harbours to retire their ships , Again to launch out into the calm deeps , Their wandring vessels in broad seas to guide , When the lost shores no longer are descried ; Physicians to direct in their great art , And other useful knowledge to impart . Nor were they only made for signs to shew Fit opportunities for things we do , But in their various aspects too we read Various events which shall in time succeed , Droughts , inundations , famines , plagues and wars , By several conjunctions of the Stars , At least shewn , if not caus'd , through the strong powers And workings Astral bodies have on ours , Which as above they variously are joyn'd , So are their subjects here below , enclin'd To sadness , mirth , dread , quiet , love or hate , All that may calm , or trouble any state . Yet are they but a second cause , which God Shakes over sinners as a flaming rod , And further manages in his own hands , To scourge the pride of all rebellious lands ; Falsely and vainly do blind mortals then , To them impute the fates and ills of men , When their sinister operations be Only th' effects of mens iniquitie , Which makes the Lord his glittering hosts thus send To execute the just threats they portend . Nor are they characters of wrath alone , They sometimes have Gods grace to mankind shown , Such was that new Star which did heaven adorn , When the great King of the whole word was born . Such were those stars that fought for Israel When Jabins vanquisht host , by Gods host fell . Even those Stars which threaten misery and woe To wicked men , to Saints deliverance show : For when God cuts the bloody Tyrant down , He will their lives with peace and blessings crown . Thus the fourth evening did the fourth day close , And where the Sun went down , the Stars arose . New triumph now the fifth day celebrates , The perfum'd morning opes her purple gates , Through which the Suns Pavilion doth appear And he array'd in all his lustre there , Like a fresh Bridegroom with majestique grace , And joy diffusing vigour in his face , Comes gladly forth , to greet his virgin bride , Trick'd up in all her ornaments and pride ; Her lovely maids at his approach unfold Their gaudie vests , on which he scatters gold , Both chearing and enriching every place , Through which he passes in his glorious race . But though he found a noble Threatre , As yet in it no living creatures were ; Though flowry carpets spread the whole Earths face , And rich embroideries the upper Arch did grace , And standards on the mountains stood between Bearing festoones like pillars wreath'd with green , The velvet couches and the mossy seats , The open walks and the more close retreats Were all prepar'd ; Yet no foot trod the woods , Nor no mouth yet had toucht the pleasant floods ; No weary creature had repos'd its head Among the sweet perfumes of the low bed ; The air was not respir'd in living breath , Throughout a general stilness reign'd , like death . The King of day came forth , but unadmir'd , Like unprais'd gallants blushingly retir'd ; As an uncourted beauty , Nights pale Queen , Grew sick to shine where she could not be seen . When the Creator first for mute herds calls , And bade the waters bring forth animals : Then was all shell-fish and each Scaly race At once produc'd , in their assigned place , The crooked Dolphins , great Leviathan , And all the Monsters of the Ocean , Like wanton kids among the billows play'd , Nor was there after on the dry land made Any one beast of less or greater kind Whose like we do not in the waters find ; Where every greater fish devours the less , As mighty Lords poor Commoners oppress . Next the Almighty by his forming Word Made the whole plumie race , and every bird It s proper place assign'd , while with light wings All mounted heaven , some o're the lakes and springs , Some over the vast Fens and Seas did flie , Some near the ground , some in the cloudy skie , Some in high trees their proud nests built , some chose The humble shrubs for their more safe repose , Some did the marshes , some the rivers love , Some the Corn-fields , and some the shady grove . That silence which reign'd every where before , It s universal Empire held no more , Even night and darkness its own dear retreat Could not preserve it in their reign compleat : The Nightingales with their complaining notes , Ravens and Owls with their ill-boding throats , And all the birds of night , shrill crowing Cocks Whose due kept times , made them the worlds first clocks , All interrupted it , even in the night , But at the first appearance of the light A thousand voyces , the green woods whole quire With their loud musick do the day admire ; The Lark doth with her single carol rise , To welcome the fair morning in the skies ; The amorous and still complaining Dove , Courts not the day , but woes her own fair love ; The Jays and Crows against each other rayl , And chattering Pies begin their gossips tale : Thus life was carri'd on , which first begun In growth of plants , in fishes motion , And next declar'd it self in living sound , Whilst various noise the yielding air did wound . Various instincts the Birds by nature have , Which God to them in their creation gave , That unto their observers do declare The storms and calms approaching in the air , That teach them how to build their nests at spring , And hatch their young under their nursing wing , To lead abroad and guard their tender brood , To know their hurtful and their healing food , To feed them till their strength be perfect grown , And after teach them how to feed alone . Could we the lessons they hold forth improve , We might from some learn chaste and constant love , Conjugal kindness of the paired Swans , Paternal Bounty of the Pelicans , While they are prodigal of their own blood To feed their chickens with that precious food . Wisdome of those who when storms threat the Skie , In thick assemblies to their shelter flie , And those who seeing devourers in the air , To the safe covert of the wing repair . The gall-less doves would teach us innocence , And the whole race to hang on Providence ; Since not the least bird that divides the air Exempted is from the Almighties care , Whose bounty in due seasons , feeds them all , Prepares them berries when the thick snows fall , Cloaths them in many colour'd plumes , which vain Men borrow , yet the Peacocks gawdy train More beautifully is by nature drest , Than art can make it on the Gallants crest . This priviledge these creatures had to raise Their voices first in their great Makers praise , Which when the morning opes her rosie gate They with consenting musick celebrate ; Again with hunger pincht to God they cry , And from his liberal hand receive supply , Who them and all his watry creatures view'd , And saw that they in all their kinds were good . Then blest them that for due successions they Might multiply . So clos'd he the fifth day . And now the Sun the third time rais'd his head And rose the sixth day from his watry bed , When God commands the teeming earth to bring Forth great and lesser beasts , each reptile thing That on her bosome creeps , the word obey'd , Immediately were all the creatures made . Like Hermits some made hollow rocks their Cell , And did in their prepared mansions dwell . The vermine , Weazils , Fulmots and blind Moles , Lay hid in clefts of trees , in crannies and in holes . The Serpents lodg'd in Marishes and fens , The savage beasts sought thickets , caves and dens . Tame herds and flocks in open pastures stay'd , And wanton kids upon the mountains play'd . Here life almost to its perfection grew While God these various creatures did indue With various properties , and various sense , But little short of humane excellence , Save what we in the Brutes dispersed find , Is all collected in mans nobler mind , Who to the high perfection of his sense , Hath added a more high intelligence . Yet several Brutes have noble faculties , Some apprehensive are , some subtile , wise , Some have invention and docility , Some wonderful in imitation be , Some with high generous courage are endued , With kindness some , and some with gratitude , With memory some , and some with providence , With natural love , and with meek innocence : Some watchful are , and some laborious be , Some have obedience , some true loyalty . Among them too we all the passions find , Some more to love , some more to hate enclin'd . The musing Hare and the lightfooted Deer Are under the predominance of fear ; Goats and hot Monkeys are with lust possest , Rage governs in the savage Tygres brest ; Jealousie doth the hearts of fierce Bulls move Impatient of all rivals in their love . Some sportive , and some melancholy be , Some proner to revenge and crueltie . The Kingly Lion in his bosome hath The fiery seed of self-provoking wrath , Joy is no stranger to the savage brest , As oft with love , hate and desire possest , Through the aversion and the appetite Which all these passions in their hearts excite . God cloth'd them all in several woells and hair , Whereof some meaner , some more precious are , which men now into garments weave and spin , Nor only weare their fleeces , but their skin ; Besides employ their teeth , bones , claws , and horn , Some Medicines be , and some the house adorn . A thousand other various ways we find , Wherein alive and dead they serve mankind , Who from th' obedience they to him afford Might learn his duty to his Soveraign Lord. Canto III. NOW was the glorious Universe compleat And every thing in beauteous order set , When God , about to make the King of all , Did in himself a sacred council call ; Not that he needed to deliberate , But pleas'd t' allow solemnity and state , To wait upon that noble creatures birth For whom he had design'd both heaven and earth : Let us , said God , with soveraign power indued : Make man after our own similitude , Let him our sacred imprest image bear Ruling o're all in earth , and sea , and air . Then made the Lord a curious mold of clay , Which lifeless on the earths cold bosome lay , When God did it with living breath inspire , A soul in all , and every part entire , Where life ris ' above motion , sound and sense To higher reason and intelligence ; And this is truly termed life alone , Which makes lifes fountain to the living known . This life into it self doth gather all The rest maintain'd by its original , Which gives it Being , Motion , Sense , Warmth , Breath , And those chief Powers that are not lost in death . Thus was the noblest creature the last made , As he in whom the rest perfection had , In whom both parts of the great world were joyn'd , Earth in his members , Heaven in his mind ; Whose vast reach the whole Universe compriz'd , And saw it in himself epitomiz'd , Yet not the Centre nor circumference can Fill the more comprehensive soul of Man , Whose life is but a progress of desire , Which still enjoy'd , doth something else require , Unsatisfied with all it hath pursued Until it rest in God , the Soveraign Good. The earthly mansion of this heavenly guest Peculiar priviledges too possest . Whereas all other creatures clothed were In Shells , Scales , gaudy Plumes , or Woolls , or Hair , Only a fair smooth skin o're man was drawn , Like Damask roses blushing through pure Lawn . The azure veins , where blood and spirits flow , Like Violets in a field of Lillies show . As others have a down bent counténance , He only doth his head to heaven advance , Resembling thus a Tree whose noble root In heaven grows , whence all his graces shoot . He only on two upright columns stands , He only hath , and knows the use of hands , Which Gods rich bounties for the rest receive , And aid to all the other members give . He only hath a voice articulate , Varied by joy , grief , anger , love and hate , And every other motion of the mind Which hereby doth an apt expression find . Hereby glad mirth in laughter is alone By man exprest ; in a peculiar groan , His grief comes forth , accompanied with tears , Peculiar shrieks utter his suddain fears . Herein is Musick too , which sweetly charms The sense , and the most savage heart disarms . The Gate of this God in the head did place , The head which is the bodies chiefest grace , The noble Palace of the Royal guest Within by Fancy and Invention drest , With many pleasant useful Ornaments Which new Imagination still presents , Adorn'd without , by Majesty and Grace , O who can tell the wonders of a face ! In none of all his fabriques more than here Doth the Creators glorious Power appear , That of so many thousands which we see All humane creatures like , all different be ; If the Front be the glory of mans frame , Those Lamps which in its upper windows flame , Illustrate it , and as days radiant Star , In the clear heaven of a bright face are . Here Love takes stand , and here ardent Desire Enters the soul , as fire drawn in by fire , At two ports , on each side , the Hearing sense Still waits to take in fresh intelligence , But the false spies both at the ears and eyes , Conspire with strangers for the souls surprize , And let all life-perturbing passions in , Which with tears , sighs and groans issue again . Nor do those Labyrinths which like brest-works are , About those secret Ports , serve for a Bar To the false Sorcerers conducted by Mans own imprudent Curiosity . There is an Arch i' the middle of the face Of equal necessary use and grace , For there men suck up the life-feeding air , And panting bosomes are discharged there ; Beneath it is the chief and beauteous gate , About which various pleasant graces wait , When smiles the Rubie doors a little way Unfold , or laughter doth them quite display , And opening the Vermillion Curtains shows The Ivory piles set in two even rows , Before the portal , as a double guard , By which the busie tongue is helpt and barr'd ; Whose sweet sounds charm , when love doth it inspire , And when hate moves it , set the world on fire . Within this portals inner vault is plac't The palate where sense meets its joys in tast ; On rising cheeks , beauty in white and red Strives with it self , white on the forehead spread Its undisputed glory there maintains , And is illustrated with azure veins . The Brows , Loves bow , and beauties shadow are , A thick set grove of soft and shining hair Adorns the head , and shews like crowning rays , While th'airs soft breath among the loose curls plays . Besides the colours and the features , we Admire their just and perfect Symmetrie , Whose ravishing resultance is that air That graces all , and is not any where ; Whereof we cannot well say what it is , Yet Beauties chiefest excellence lies in this ; Which mocks the Painters in their best designs , And is not held by their exactest lines . But while we gaze upon our own fair frame Let us remember too from whence it came , And that by sin corrupted now , it must Return to its originary dust . How undecently doth pride then lift that head On which the meanest feet must shortly tread ? Yet at the first it was with glory crown'd , Till Satans fraud gave it the mortal wound . This excellent creature God did Adam call To mind him of his low Original , Whom he had form'd out of the common ground Which then with various pleasures did abound . The whole Earth was one large delightful Field , That till man sin'd no hurtful briars did yield , But God enclosing one part from the rest , A Paradise in the rich spicie East Had stor'd with Natures wealthy Magazine , Where every plant did in its lustre shine , But did not grow promiscously there , They all dispos'd in such rich order were As did augment their single native grace , And perfected the pleasure of the place , To such a height that th' apelike art of man , Licentious Pens , or Pencils never can With all th' essays of all presuming wit , Or form or feign ought that approaches it . Whether it were a fruitful Hill or Vale , Whether high Rocks , or Trees did it impale , Or Rivers with their clear and kind embrace Into a pleasant Island form'd the place , Whether its noble scituation were On Earth , in the bright Moon , or in the Air , In what forms stood the various trees and flowers , The disposition of the walks and bowers , Whereof no certain word , nor sign remains , We dare not take from mens inventive brains . We know there was pleasant and noble shade Which the tall growing Pines and Cedars made , And thicker coverts , which the light and heat Ev'n at noon day could scarcely penetrate , A crystal River on whose verdant banks The crowned fruit-trees stood in lovely ranks , His gentle wave thorough the garden led , And all the spreading roots with moysture fed . But past th' enclosure , thence the single stream Parted in four , four noble floods became ; Pison whose large arms Havilah enfold ; A wealthy land enricht with finest gold , Where also many precious stones are found ; The second river Gihon , doth surround All that fair land where Chus inhabited , Where Tyranny first rais'd up her proud head , And led her blood-hounds all along the shore , Polluting the pure stream with crimson gore . Edens third river Hiddekell they call , Whose waters Eastward in Assiria fall . The fourth Euphrates whose swift stream did run About the stately walls of Babylon ; And in the revolution of some years Swell'd high , fed with the captiv'd Hebrews tears . God in the midst of Paradise did place Two trees , that stood up drest in all the grace , The verdure , beauty , sweetness , excellence , With which all else could tempt or feast the sense : On one apples of knowledge did abound , And life-confirming fruit the other crown'd . And now did God the new created King Into the pleasures of his earthly palace bring : The air , spice , balm , and amber did respire , His ears were feasted by the Sylvan Quire , Like country girls , grass flowers did dispute Their humble beauties with the high born fruit ; Both high and low their gawdy colours vied , As Courtiers do in their contentious pride , Striving which of them should yield most delight , And stand the finest in their Soveraigns sight . The shrubs with berries crown'd like precious gems , Offer'd their supreme Lord their Diadems Which did no single sense alone invite , Courting alike the eyes and appetite . Among all these the eye-refreshing green , Sometimes alone , sometimes in mixture seen , O're all the banks and all the flat ground spread , Seem'd an embroider'd , or plain velvet bed . And that each sense might its refreshment have , The gentle air soft pleasant touches gave Unto his panting limbs , whenever they Upon the sweet and mossie couches lay . A shady Eminence there was , whereon The noble creature sate , as on his throne , When God brought every Fowl , and every Brute , That he might Names unto their natures suit , Whose comprehensive understanding knew How to distinguish them , at their first view ; And they retaining those names ever since , Are monuments of his first excellence , And the Creators providential grace , Who in those names , left us some prints to trace ; Nature , mysterious grown , since we grew blind , Whose Labyrinths we should less easily find If those first appellations , as a clue , Did not in some sort serve to lead us through , And rectifie that frequent gross mistake , Which our weak judgements and sick senses make , Since man ambitious to know more , that sin Brought dulness , ignorance and error in . Though God himself to man did condescend , Though his knowlege to all natures did extend ; Though heaven and earth thus centred in his mind , Yet being the only one of his whole kind , He found himself without an equal mate , To whom he might his joys communicate , And by communication multiply . Too far out of his reach was God on high , Too much below him bruitish creatures were , God could at first have made a humane pair , But that it was his will to let man see The need and sweetness of societie ; Who , though he were his Makers Favourite , Feasted in Paradise with all delight , Though all the creatures paid him homage , yet Was not his unimparted joy compleat , While there was not a second of his kind , Indued with such a form and such a mind , As might alike his soul and senses feast : He saw that every bird and every beast It s own resemblance in its female viewed , And only union with its like pursued . Hence birds with birds , and fish with fish abide , Nor those with beasts , nor beasts with these reside : According to their several species too , As several housholds in one City do , So they with their own kinds associate : The Kingly eagle hath no buzzard mate ; The ravens , more their own black feather love , Than painted pheasants , or the fair-neck'd dove . So Bears to rough Bears rather do encline Than to majestick Lions , or fair kine . If it be thus with brutes , much less then can The bruitish conversation suit with man. 'T is only like desires like things unite : In union likeness only feeds delight . Where unlike natures in conjunction are , There is no product but perpetual war , Such as there was in Natures troubled womb , Until the sever'd births from thence did come , For the whole world nor order had , nor grace Till sever'd elements each their own place Assigned were , and while in them they keep , Heaven still smiles above , th' untroubled deep With kind salutes embraces the dry land , Firm doth the earth on its foundation stand ; A chearful light streams from th'aetherial fire , And all in universal joy conspire . But if with their unlike they attempt to mix , Their rude congressions every thing unfix ; Darkness again invades the troubled skies , Earth trembling , under angry heaven lies ; The Sea , swoln high with rage , comes to the shore And swallows that , which it but kist before ; Th' unbounded fire breaks forth with dreadful light , And horrid cracks which dying nature fright , Till that high power , which all powers regulates , The disagreeing natures separates , The like to like rejoyning as before , So the worlds peace , joy , safety doth restore . Yet if man could not find in bird or brute That conversation which might aptly suit His higher nature , was it not sublime Enough , above the lower world to climb , And in Angelick converse to delight , Although it could not reach the supreme height ? No ; for though man partake intelligence , Yet that being joyn'd to an inferiour sense , Dull'd by corporeal vapours , cannot be Refin'd enough for angels company : As strings screw'd up too high , as bows still bent Or break themselves , or crack the instrument ; So drops neglected flesh into the grave , If it no share in the souls pleasures have . Man like himself needs an associate , Who doth both soul and sense participate . Not the swift Horse , the eager Hawk , or Hound , Dogs , Parrots , Monkies 'mongst whom Adam found No meet companion , thinking them too base For the society of humane race , Though his degenerate offspring chuse that now Which his sound reason could not then allow , But found himself amongst them all alone . Whether he beg'd a mate it is not known , Likely his want might send him to the spring ; For God who freely gives us every thing , Mercy endears by instilling the desire , And granting that which humbly we require : Howe're it was , God saw his solitude And gave his sentence that it was not good . Yet not a natural , nor a moral ill , Because his solitude was not his will Opposing his Creators End , as they Who into caves and desarts run away , Seeking perfection in that state , wherein A good was wanting when man had no sin . For without help to propagate mankind Gods glory had been to one brest confin'd , Which multiplied Saints , do now conspire Throughout their generations to admire . Mans nature had not been the sacred shrine , Partner and bride of that which is divine ; The Church , fruit of this union , had not come To light , but perisht , stifled in the womb . Again 't is not particularly good For man to waste his life in solitude , Whose nature for society design'd Can no full joy without a second find , To whom he may communicate his heart , And pay back all the pleasures they impart ; For all the joys that we enjoy alone , And all our unseen lustre , is as none . If thus want of a partner did abate Mans happiness in mans most perfect state , Much more hath humane nature , now decay'd , Need of a suitable and a kind aid : It is not good , vertue should lie obscure , That barren rocks , rich treasures should immure , Which our kind Lord to some , for all men gave , That all might share of all his bounties have . Not good , dark Lanthorns should shut up the light Of fair example , made for the dark night . Not good , experience should her candle hide , When weak ones perish , wanting her bright guide . Not good , to let unactive graces chill , No lively warmth receive , no good instil By quickning converse . Thus nor are the great , The wise , and firm , permitted to retreat , Betraying so deserted innocence , To which God made them conduct and defence . Nor may the simple and the weak expose Themselves alone , to strong and subtile foes ; Men for each others mutual help were made , The meanest may afford the highest aid . The highest to necessity must yield , Even Princes are beholding to the field . He that from mortal converse steals away Injures himself , and others doth betray , Whom Providence committed to his trust , And in that act , nor prudent is nor just . For sweet friends both in pleasure and distress , Augment the joy , and make the torment less . Equal delight it is to learn and teach , To be held up to that we cannot reach , And others from the abject earth to raise To merit , and to give deserved praise . Wisdom imparted like th' encreasing bread , Wherewith the Lord so many thousands fed , By distribution adds to its own store , And still the more it gives it hath the more . Extended Power reaches it self a crown , Gathering up those whom misery casts down . Love raiseth us , it self to heaven doth rise , By vertues varied mutual exercise . Sweet love , the life of life , which cannot shine , But lies like Gold concealed in the Mine , Till it through much exchange a brightness take And Conversation doth it current make . God having shew'd his creature thus the need Of humane helps , a help for man decreed : I will , said he , the mans meet aid provide . But that he from his waking view might hide Such a mysterious work , the Lord did keep All Adam's senses fast lock'd up in sleep . Then from his open'd side took without pain A cloathed rib , and clos'd the flesh again , And of the bone did a fair virgin frame Who , by her Maker brought , to Adam came And was in matrimonial Union joyn'd , By love and nature happily combin'd . Adam's clear understanding at first view His wives original and nature knew ; His will , as pure , did thankfully embrace , His fathers bounty , and admir'd his grace . And as her sweet charms did his heart surprise He spoke his joy in these glad ecstacies , Thou art my better self , my flesh , my bone , We late of one made two , again in one Shall reunite , and with the frequent birth Of our joynt issue , people the vast earth . To shew that thou wert taken out of me Isha shall be thy name ; As unto thee Ravisht with love and joy my soul doth cleave , So men hereafter shall their fathers leave , And all relations else , which are most dear , That they may only to their wives adhere ; When marriage male and female doth combine Children in one flesh shall two parents joyn . Lastly , God , who the sacred knot had tied , With blessing his own Ordinance sanctified , Encrease , said he , and multiply your race , Fill th' Earth allotted for your dwelling place , I give you right to all her fruits and plants , Dominion over her inhabitants ; The fish that in the floods deep bosome lie , All Fowls that in the airy region flie , Whatever lives and feeds on the dry land , Are all made subject under your command . The grass and green herbs let your cattle eat , And let the richer fruits be your own meat , Except the Tree of knowing good and ill , That by the precept of my Soveraign will You must not eat , for in the day you do , Inevitable death shall seize on you . Thus God did the first marriage celebrate While man was in his unpolluted state , And th' undefiled bed with honour deckt , Though perversemen the Ordinance reject , And pulling all its sacred Ensigns down To the white Virgin only give the crown . Nor yet is marriage grown less sacred since Man fell from his created excellence , Necessity now raises its esteem , Which doth mankind from deaths vast jaws redeem , Who even in their graves are yet alive , While they in their posterity survive . In it they find a comfort and an aid , In all the ills which humane life invade . This curbs and cures wild passions that arise , Repairs times daily wasts , with new supplies ; When the declining mothers youthful grace Lies dead and buried in her wrinkled face , In her fair daughters it revives and grows , And her dead Cinder in their new flames glows . And though this state may sometimes prove accurst , For of best things , still the corruption's worst , Sin so destroys an institution good , Provided against death and solitude . Eve out of sleeping Adam formed thus A sweet instructive emblem is to us , How waking Providence is active still To do us good , and to avert our ill , When we lock'd up in stupefaction lie , Not dreaming that our blessings are so nigh . Blessings wrought out by providence alone Without the least assistance of our own . Mans help produc'd in death-like sleep doth show , Our choicest mercies out of dead wombs flow . So from the second Adams bleeding side God form'd the Gospel Church , his mystique Bride , Whose strength was only of his firmness made , His blood , quick spirits into ours convey'd : His wasted flesh our wasted flesh supplied , And we were then revived when he died . Who wak'd from that short sleep with joy did view The Virgin fair that out of his wounds grew , Presented by th' eternal Fathers grace Unto his everlasting kind embrace : My spouse , my sister , said he , thou art mine ; I and my death , I and my life are thine ; For thee I did my heavenly Father quit That thou with me on my high throne mayst sit , My mothers humane flesh in death did leave For thee , that I to thee might only cleave , Redeem thee from the confines of dark hell , And evermore in thy dear bosome dwell : From heaven I did descend to fetch up thee , Rose from the grave that thou mightst reign with me . Henceforth no longer two but one we are , Thou dost my merit , life , grace , glory share : As my victorious triumphs are all thine , So are thy injuries and sufferings mine , Which I for thee will vanquish as my own , And give thee rest in the celestial throne : The Bride with these caresses entertain'd In naked beauty doth before him stand , And knows no shame purg'd from all foul desire Whose secret guilt kindles the blushing fire . Her glorious Lord is naked too , no more Conceal'd in types and shadows as before . So our first parents innocently did Behold that nakedness which since is hid , That lust may not catch fire from beauties flame Engendring thoughts which die the cheeks with shame , Thus heaven and earth their full perfection had , Thus all their hosts and ornaments were made , Armies of Angels had the highest place , Bright starry hosts the lower heaven did grace , The Mutes encamped in the waters were , The winged troops were quartered in the air , The walking animals , as th' infantry Of th' Universal Host , at large did lie Spread over all the earths most ample face , Each regiment in its assigned place . Paradise the head quarter was , and there The Emperour to his Viceroy did appear , Him in his regal Office did install , A general muster of his hosts did call , Resigning up into his sole command The numerous Tribes , that fill doth sea and land . As each kind severally had before Blessing and approbation , so once more , When all together God his works review'd , The blessing was confirmed and renew'd . And with the sixth day the Creation ceast . The seventh day the Lord himself did rest , And made it a perpetual Ordinance then To be observ'd by every age of men , That after six days honest labour they His precept and example should obey , As he did his , their works surcease , and spend That day in sacred rest , till that day end , And in its number back again return , Still consecrated , till it have outworn All other time , and that alone remain , When neither toyl , nor burthen , shall again The weary lives of mortal men infest , Nor intermit their holy , happy rest . Nor is this Rest sacred to idleness , God , a perpetual Act , sloth cannot bless . He ceast not from his own celestial joy , Which doth himself perpetually employ In contemplation of himself , and those Most excellent works , wherein himself he shows ; He only ceast from making lower things , By which , as steps , the mounting soul he brings To th' upmost height , and having finisht these Himself did in his own productions please , Full satisfied in their perfection , Rested from what he had compleatly done ; And made his pattern our instruction , That we , as far as finite creatures may Trace him that 's infinite , should in our way Rest as our Father did , work as he wrought , Nor cease till we have to perfection brought Whatever to his glory we intend , Still making ours , the same which was his end : As his works in commands begin , and have Conclusion in the blessings which he gave , So must his Word give being to all ours ; And since th' events are not in our own powers , We must his blessing beg , his great name bless , And make our thanks the crown of our success . As God first heaven did for man prepare , Men last for heaven created were , So should we all our actions regulate , Which heaven , both first and last , should terminate , And in whatever circle else they run , There should they end , there should they be begun , There seek their pattern , and derive from thence Their whole direction and their influence . As when th' Almighty this low world did frame , Life by degrees to its perfection came , In Vegetation first sprung up , to sense Ascended next , and climb'd to reason thence , So we , pursuing our attainments , should Press forward from what 's positively good , Still climbing higher , until we reach the best , And that acquir'd for ever fix our rest . Our souls so ravisht with the joys divine That they no more to creatures can decline . As Gods Rest was but a more high retreat From the delights of this inferiour seat , So must our souls upon our Sabbaths climb , Above the world , sequestred for that time , From those legitimate delights , which may Rejoyce us here upon a common day . As God , his works compleated , did retire To be ador'd by the Angelick Quire , So when on us the seventh days light doth shine , Should we our selves to Gods assemblies joyn , Thither all hearts , as one pure offring , bring And all with one accord adore our King. This seventh day the Lord to mankind gave , Nor is it the least priviledge we have . And ours peculiarly . The Orbs above Aswell the seventh as the sixth day move , The rain descends and the fierce tempest blows , On it the restless Ocean ebbs and flows : Bees that day fill the hive , and on that day Ants their provisions in their store-house lay , All creatures plie their works , no beast But those which mankind use , share in that rest : Which God indulg'd only to humane race , That they in it might come before his face To celebrate his worship and his praise , And gain a blessing upon all their days . O wretched souls of perverse men , who slight So great a grace , refuse such rich delight , Which the inferiour creatures cannot share , To which alone their natures fitted are , And whereby favour'd men admitted be Into the angels blest societle . Yet is this Rest but a far distant view Of that celestial life which we pursue , By Satan oft so interrupted here , That little of its glory doth appear , Nor can our souls sick , languid appetite Feast upon such substantial , strong delight . As musick pains the grieved aking head , With which the healthful sense is sweetly fed ; So duties wherein sound hearts full joys find , Fetters and sad loads are to a sick mind , Till it thereto by force it self mure , And from a loathing fall to love its cure . God for his worship kept one day of seven , The other six to man for mans use given ; Adam , although so highly dignified , Was not to spend in idle ease and pride Nor supine sleep , drunk with his sensual pleasures , Profusely wasting th' Empires sacred treasures , As now his faln sons do , that arrogate His forfeited dominion , and high state ; But God his dayly Business did ordain That Kings , hence taught , might in their Realms maintain Fair order , serving those whom they command , As guardians , not as owners of the land , Not being set there , to pluck up and destroy Those plants , whose culture should their cares employ . Nor doth this precept only Kings comprize , The meanest must his little paradise With no less vigilance and care attend Than Princes on their vast enclosures spend . All hence must learn their duty , to suppress Th' intrusions of a sordid idleness . Who form'd , could have preserv'd the garden fair Without th' employment of mans busie care , But that he will'd that our delight should be The wages of our constant industrie , That we his ever bounteous hand might bless Crowning our honest labours with success , And tast the joy men reap in their own fruit , Loving that more to which they contribute Either the labour of their hands or brains , Than better things produc'd by others pains . Led by desire , fed with fair hope , the fruit Oft-times delights not more than the pursuit . For man a nature hath to action prone , That languishes , and sickens finding none . As standing pools corrupt , water that flows , More pure , by its continual current , grows , So humane kind by active exercise , Do to the heights of their perfection rise , While their stock'd glory comes to no ripe growth , Whose lives corrupt in idleness and sloth Which is not natural , but a disease , That doth upon the flesh-cloy'd spirit seize . Where health untainted is , then the sound mind In its employment doth its pleasure find . But when death , or its representer sleep Upon the mortals tired members creep , This during its dull reign doth life suspend , That ceasing action , puts it to an end . Lastly since God himself did man employ To dress up Paradise , that moderate joy Which from this fair creation we derive , Is not our sin but our prerogative , If bounded so , as we fix not our rest In creatures which but transient are at best , Yet 't is sin to neglect , not use , or prize , As well as 't is to wast and idolize . Canto IV. GOod were all natures as God made them all , Good was his Will permitting some to fall , That th' rest renouncing their frail strength might stand Humble and firm in his supporting hand , His wisdome and omnipotence might own , When his Foes power and craft is overthrown , Seeing his hate of sin , might thence confess His pure innate and perfect Holiness , And that the glory of his Justice might In the Rebels torturing flames seem bright . That th' ever bless'd Redeemer might take place To illustrate his rich mercy and free grace Whereby he fallen sinners doth restore To fuller bliss than they enjoy'd before ; That Vertue might in its clear brightness shine Which like rich ore concealed in the mine Had not been known , but that opposing vice Illustrates it by frequent exercise . If all were good , whence then arose the ill ? 'T was not in Gods , but in the creatures will , Averting from that good , which is supream , Corrupted so , as a declining stream That breaks off its communion with its head , By whom its life and sweetness late were fed , Turns to a noisome , dead , and poysonous Lake , Infecting all who the foul waters take : Or as a Branch cut from the living Tree , Passes into contempt immediately , And dies divided from its glorious stock ; So strength disjoyned from the living rock , Turns to contemned imbecillity , And doth to all its grace and glory die . Some new-made Angels thus , not more sublime In nature , than transcending in their crime , Quitting th' eternal fountain of their light , Became the first-born sons of woe and night , Princes of Darkness , and the sad Abysse , Which now their cursed place and portion is , Where they no more must fee Gods glorious face Nor ever taste of his refreshing grace , But in the fire of his fierce anger dwell , Which though it burns , enlightens not their Hell. But circumstances that we cannot know Of their rebellion and their overthrow We will not dare t' invent , nor will we take Guesses from the reports themselves did make To their old Priests , to whom they did devise To inspire some truths , wrapt up in many lies ; Such as their gross poetick fables are , Saturn's extrusion , the bold giants war , Division of the universal realm , To Gods that in high heaven steer the helm , Others who all things in the Ocean guide , And those who in th' infernal Court preside , Who there a vast and gloomy Empire sway , Whom all the Furies and the Ghosts obey . But not to name these foolish impious tales , Which stifle truth in her pretended veils , Let us in its own blazing conduct go , And look no further than that light doth show ; Wherein we see the present powers of hell , Before they under Gods displeasure fell , Were once endued with grace and excellence , Beyond the comprehension of our sense , Pure holy lights in the bright heaven were Blazing about the throne , but not fixt there ; Where , by the Apostasie of their own will , Precipitating them into all ill , And Gods just wrath , whose eyes are far too pure Stain'd and polluted objects to endure , They fell like lightning , hurl'd in his fierce ire , And falling , set the lower world on fire : Which their loose prison is where they remain , And walk as criminals under Gods chain ; Until the last and great assizes come , When Execution shall seal up their doom . Thus are they now to their created light , Unto all Truth , and Goodness opposite , Hating the Peace and Joy that reigns above , Vainly contending to extinguish love , Ruine Gods sacred Empire , and destroy That blessedness they never can enjoy . A Chief they have , whose Soveraign power and place But adds to'his sin , his torture , and disgrace . An order too there is in their dire state , Though they all Orders else disturb and hate . Ten thousand thousand wicked spirits stand , Attending their black Prince , at his command , To all imaginable evils prest , That may promote their common interest . Nor are they linked thus by faith and love , But hate of God and goodness , which doth move The same endeavours and desires in all , Lest civil wars should make their Empire fall . An Empire which the Almighty doth permit , Yet so as he controlls and limits it . Suffering their rage sometimes to take effect , Only to be the more severely checkt ; When he produces a contrary end , From what they did malitiously intend , Befools their wisdome , crosses their designs , And blows them up in their own crafty mines , Allows them play in the entangling net , So to be faster in damnation set , Submits them to each others tyrannies , Who did Gods softer sacred bonds despise , Le ts them still fight , who never can prevail , More curs'd if they succeed , than if they fail , Since every soul the Rebels gain from God , Adds but another Scorpion to that rod , Bound up , that they may mutual torturers be , Tormented and tormenting equally . As a wise General that doth design To keep his Army still in discipline , Suffers the embodying of some slighter foes , Which he at his own pleasure can enclose , And vanquish , that he justly may chastise Their folly , and his own troops exercise , Their vigilance , their faith and valour prove ; Endearing them thereby to his own love , As he alike endears himself to theirs , By his continual succours and kind cares : So the Almighty gives the Devils scope , Who though they are excluded from all hope Of e're escaping , no reluctance have , But like the desperate villain they make brave , To death pursue their bold attempts , that all O're whom they cannot reign , with them may fall . And tho' Gods watchful guards besiege them round That none can pass their strict prescribed bound , Yet make they daily sallies in their pride , Which still repulst the holy host deride . Their malice in it self and its event , Being equally a crime and punishment . Thus though sin in it self be ill , 't is good That sin should be , for thereby rectitude Thorough oppos'd iniquity , as light By shades , is more conspicuous and more bright . The wonderful creation of mankind , For lasting glory and rich grace design'd , The blessed angels look'd on with delight , Gladded to see us climb so near their height ; Above all other works , next in degree , And capable of their societie . But 't was far otherwise with those that fell Mans destin'd heaven , encreas'd their hell , While they burnt with a proud malitious spite To see a new-made , earth-born favourite , For their high seats and empty thrones design'd ; Therefore both against God and man combin'd , To hinder Gods decree from taking place , And to devest man of his Makers grace ; Which while he in a pure obedience stood , They knew , not all their force nor cunning cou'd , But if they could with any false pretence Inveigle him to quit his innocence , They hop'd death would prevent the dreaded womb From whence their happier successors must come . Wherefore th' accursed Soveraign of hell Thinking no other Devil could so well Act this ill part , whose consequence was high Enough to engage his hateful majesty , Himself exposes for the common cause , And with his hellish kingdomes full applause , Goes forth , putting himself into disguise , And so within a bright scal'd serpent lies , Folded about the fair forbidden tree , Watching a wish'd for opportunitie , Which Eve soon gave him , coming there alone So to be first and easier overthrown ; On whose weak side , th' assault had not been made Had she not from her firm protection stray'd ; But so the Devil then , so leud men now Prevail , when women privacies allow , And to those flatt'ring whispers lend an ear Which even impudence it self would fear To utter in the presence of a friend , Whose vertuous awe our frailty might defend . Though unexperience might excuse Eves fault , Yet those who now give way to an assault , By suffring it alone , none can exempt From the just blame that they their tempters tempt , And by vain confidence themselves betray , Fondly secure in a known desperate way . As Eve stood near the tree , the subtile beast , By Satan mov'd , his speech to her addrest Hath God , said he , forbid that you should tast These pleasant fruits , which in your eyes are plac't , Why are the tempting boughs expos'd , if you May not delight your palates with your view ? God , said the woman , gives us libertie To eat without restraint of every tree Which in the garden grows , but only one ; Restrain'd by such a prohibition , We dare not touch it , for when e're we do A certain death will our offence ensue . Then did the wicked subtile beast replie , Ah simple wretch , you shall not surely die , God enviously to you this fruit denies , He knows that eating it , will make you wise , Of good and ill give you discerning sense , And raise you to a god-like excellence . Eve quickly caught in the foul hunters net , Believ'd that death was only a vain threat , Her unbelief quenching religious dread Infectious counsel in her bosome bred , Dissatisfaction with her present state And fond ambition of a godlike height . Who now applies herself to its pursuit , With longing eyes looks on the lovely fruit , First nicely plucks , then eats with full delight , And gratifies her murderous appetite ; Poyson'd with the sweet relish of her sin , Before her inward torturing pangs begin , The pleasure to her husband she commends , And he by her persuasion too offends , As by the serpents she before had done . Hence learn pernicious councellors to shun . Within the snake the crafty tempter smil'd To see mankind so easily beguil'd , But laugh not Satan , God shall thee deride , The Son of God and Man shall scourge thy pride , And in the time of vengeance shall exact A punishment on thee , for this accursed fact . Now wrought the poyson on the guilty pair , Who with confusion on each , other stare , While death possession takes , and enters in At the wide breach , laid open by their sin . Sound health and joy before th' intruder fled , Sickness and sorrow coming in their stead . Their late sweet calm did now for ever cease , Storms in all quarters drove away their peace ; Dread , guilt , remorse in the benighted soul , Like raging billows on each other rowl ; Deaths harbingers waste in each province make , While thundring terrours mans whole Island shake . Within , without , disorder'd in the storm , The colour fades , and tremblings change the form , Heat melts their substance , cold their joynts benumbs , Dull languishment their vigour overcomes . Grief conquer'd beauty lays down all her arms , And mightier woe dissolves her late strong charms , Shame doth their looks deject , no chearful grace , No pleasant smiles , appear in their sad face , They see themselves fool'd , cheated , and betray'd , And naked in the view of heaven made ; No glory compasses the drooping head , The sight of their own ugliness they dread , And curtains of broad , thin Fig-leaves devise To hide themselves from their own weeping eyes ; But , Ah , these coverings were too slight and thin To ward their shame off , or to keep out sin , Or the keen airs quick piercing shafts , which through Both leaves and pores into the bowels flew . While they remain'd in their pure innocence It was their robe of glory and defence : But when sin tore that mantle off , they found Their members were all naked , all uncrown'd ; Their purity in every place defil'd , Their vest of righteousness all torn and spoyl'd . Wherefore , through guilt , the late lov'd light they shun , And into the obscurest shadow run ; But in no darkness can their quiet find , Carrying within them a disturbed mind , Which doth their cureless folly represent , And makes them curse their late experiment ; Wishing they had been pure and ignorant still , Nor coveted the knowledge of their ill . Ah thus it is that yet we learn our good , Till it be lost , but seldome understood , Rich blessings , while we have them , little prize . Until their want their value magnifies , And equally doth our remorse encrease For having cast away such happiness . O wretched man ! who at so dear a rate Purchas'd the knowledge of his own frail state , Knowledge of small advantage to the wise , Which only their affliction multiplies , While they in painful study vex their brain , Pursuing what they never can attain ; And what would not avail them if acquir'd , Till at the length with fruitless labour tir'd , All that the learned and the wise can find Is but a vain disturbance of the mind , A sense of mans inevitable woes , Which he but little feels , who little knows ; While mortals , holding on their error , still Pursue the knowledge both of good and ill , They neither of them perfectly attain , But in a dark tumultuous state remain ; Till sense of ill , encreasing like nights shade , Or hath a blot of good impressions made , Or good , victorious as the morning light , Triumph over the vanquisht opposite . For both at once abide not in one place , Good knowledge flies from them who ill embrace . So were our parents fill'd with guilt and fear , When in the groves they Gods approaches hear , And from the terrour of his presence fled ; Whether their own convictions caus'd their dread , For inward guilt of conscience might suffice To chace vile sinners from his purer eyes ; Or nature felt an angry Gods descent , Which shook the earth , and tore the firmament , We are not told , nor will too far enquire . Lightnings and tempests might speak forth his ire . For at the day of universal doom The great Judge shall in flaming vengeance come ; An all-consuming fire shall go before , Whirlwinds and thunder shall about him roar , Horror shall darken the whole troubled skies , And bloody veils shall hide the worlds bright eyes , While stars from the dissolving heaven drop down , And funeral blazes every Turret crown . The clouds shall be confounded with the waves , The yawning earth shall open all her graves , Loud fragors shall firm rocks in sunder rend , Cleft mountains shall hells fiery jaws distend , Vomiting cinders , sulphur , pitch , and flame , Which shall consume the worlds unjoynted frame , And turn the Paradises we admire Into an ever-boyling lake of fire . But God then , in his rich grace , did delay These dismalterrors , till the last great day . Yet even his first approach created dread , And the poor mortals from his anger fled ; Until a calmer voice their sense did greet . Love even when it chides is kind and sweet . The sense of wrath far from the fear'd Power drives , The sense of Love brings home the fugitives . Souls flying God into despair next fall , Thence into hate , till black hell close up all . But if sweet mercy meet them on the way , That milder voyce , first doth their mad flight stay , And their ill-quitted hope again restore , Then love that was forsaking them before Returns with a more flaming strong desire Of those sweet joys from which it did retire , And in their absence woe and terror found , And all those plagues that can a poor soul wound . While thus this love with holy ardour burns , The bleeding sinner to his God returns , And prostrate at his throne of grace doth lie , If death he cannot shun , yet there to die . Where Mercy still doth fainting souls revive , And in its kind embraces keep alive A gentler fire , than what it lately felt Under the sense of wrath . The soul doth melt , Like precious Ore , which when men would refine Doth in its liquefaction brightly shine ; In cleansing penitential meltings so Foul sinners once again illustrious grow , When Christs all-heating softning spirit , hath Their Furnance been , and his pure blood their Bath . Now though Gods wrath bring not the sinner home , Who only by sweet love attracted come , Yet is it necessary that the sense Of it , should make us know the excellence , And taste the pleasantness of pardoning grace , That we may it with fuller joy embrace ; Which when it brings a frighted wretch from hell Makes it love more , than those who never fell : But mankinds love to God grows by degrees , As he more clearly Gods sweet mercy sees , And God at first reveals not all his grace , That men more ardently may seek his face , Averted by their folly and their pride , Which makes them their confounded faces hide . As still the Sun 's the same behind the clouds , Such is Gods love , which his kind anger shrouds , Which doth not all at once it self reveal , But first in the thick shadows that conceal Its glory , doth attenuation cause ; Then the black , dismal curtain softly draws , And lets some glimmering light of hope appear , Which rather is a lessening of our fear , Than an assurance of our joy and peace , A truce with misery , rather than release . Thus had not God come in mankind had died Without repair , yet came he first to chide , To urge their sin , with its sad consequence , And make them feel the weight of their offence . To ' examine and arraign them at his bar , And shew them what vile criminals they were : But ah ! our utterance here is choak'd with woe , With tardy steps from Paradise we go . Then let us pause on our lost joys a while Before we enter on our sad exile . Canto V. SAd Natures sighs gave the Alarms , And all her frighted hosts stood to their arms , Waiting whom the great Soveraign would employ His all deserted rebels to destroy : When God descended out of heaven above His disobedient Viceroy to remove . Yet though himself had seen the forfeiture , Which distance could not from his eyes obscure , To teach his future Substitutes how they Should judgements execute in a right way , He would not unexamin'd facts condemn , Nor punish sinners without hearing them . Therefore cites to his bar the Criminals , And Adam first out of his covert calls , Where art thou Adam ? the Almighty said , Here Lord , the trembling sinner answer made , Amongst the trees I in the garden heard Thy voice , and being naked was afeard , Nor durst I so thy purer sight abide , Therefore my self did in this shelter hide . Hast thou ( said God ) eat the forbidden tree , Or who declar'd thy nakedness to thee ? She , answer'd Adam , whom thou didst create To be my helper and associate , Gave me the fatal fruit , and I did eat ; Then Eve was also call'd from her retreat , Woman what hast thou done ? th' Almighty said ; Lord , answer'd she , the serpent me betray'd , And I did eat . Thus did they both confess Their guilt , and vainly sought to make it less , By such extenuations , as well weigh'd , The sin , so circumstanc'd , more sinful made : A course which still half softned sinners use , Transferring blame their own faults to excuse , They care not how , nor where , and oftentimes On God himself obliquely charge their crimes , Expostulating in their discontent , As if he caus'd what he did not prevent ; Which Adam wickedly implies , when he Cries , 'T was the woman That thou gavest me ; Oft-times make that the devils guilt alone , Which was as well and equally their own . His lies could never have prevail'd on Eve But that she wisht them truth , and did believe A forgery that suited her desire , Whose haughty heart was prone enough to ' aspire . The tempting and the urging was his ill , But the compliance was in her own will. And herein truly lies the difference Of natural and gracious penitence , The first transferreth and extenuates The guilt , which the other owns and aggravates . While sin is but regarded slight and small , It makes the value of rich mercy fall , But as our crimes seem greater in our eyes , So doth our grateful sense of pardon rise . Poor mankind at Gods righteous bar was cast And set for judgement by , when at the last Satan within the serpent had his doom , Whose execrable malice left no room For plea or pardon , but was sentenc'd first ; Thou ( said the Lord ) above all beasts accurst , Shalt on thy belly creep , on dust shalt feed , Between thee and the woman , and her seed And thine , I will put lasting enmity ; Thou in this war his heel shalt bruise , but He Thy head shall break . More various Mystery Ne're did within so short a sentence lie . Here is irrevocable vengeance , here Love as immutable . Here doth appear Infinite Wisdome plotting with free grace , Even by Mans Fall , th' advance of humane race . Severity here utterly confounds , Here Mercy cures by kind and gentle wounds , The Father here , the Gospel first reveals , Here fleshly veils th' eternal son conceals . The law of life and spirit here takes place , Given with the promise of assisting grace : Here is an Oracle fore-telling all , Which shall the two opposed seeds befall . The great war hath its first beginning here , Carried along more than five thousand year , With various success on either side , And each age with new combatants suppli'd : Two Soveraign Champions here we find , Satan and Christ contending for mankind . Two Empires here , two opposite Cities rise , Dividing all in two Societies . The little Church and the worlds larger State Pursuing it with ceaseless spite and hate . Each party here erecting their own walls , As one advances , so the other falls . Hope in the Promise the weak Church confirms , Hell and the world fight upon desperate terms , By this most certain Oracle they know , Their war must end in final overthrow . Some little present mischief they may do , And this with eager malice they pursue . The Angels whom Gods justice did divide , Engage their mighty powers on either side , Hells gloomy Princes the worlds rulers made , Heavens unseen host the Churches guard and aid . Till the frail womans conquering son shall tread Beneath his feet the serpents broken head ; Though God the speech to mans false foe address , The words rich grace to fallen man express , Which God will not to him himself declare , Till he implore it by submissive prayer ; Sufficient 't is to know a latitude For hope , which doth no penitent exclude . Had deaths sad sentence past on man , before The promise of that seed which should restore His fallen state , destroying death and sin , Cureless as Satans had his misery been . But though free grace did future help provide , Yet must he present loss and woe abide ; And feel the bitter curse , that he may so The sweet release of saving mercy know . Prepar'd with late indulged hope , on Eve Th' almighty next did gentler sentence give . I will , said he , greatly augment thy woes , And thy conceptions , which with painful throes Thou shalt bring forth , yet shall they be to thee But a successive crop of misery . Thy husband shall thy ruler be , whose sway Thou shalt with passionate desires obey . Alas ! how sadly to this day we find Th' effect of this dire curse on womankind ; Eve sin'd in fruit forbid , and God requires Her pennance in the fruit of her desires . When first to men their inclinations move , How are they tortur'd with distracting love ! What disappointments find they in the end ; Constant uneasinesses which attend The best condition of the wedded state , Giving all wives sense of the curses weight , Which makes them ease and liberty refuse , And with strong passion their own shackles chuse : Now though they easier under wise rule prove , And every burthen is made light by love , Yet golden fetters , soft lin'd yoaks still be , Though gentler ourbs , but curbs of liberty , As well as the harsh tyrants iron yoak , More sorely galling them whom they provoke , To loath their bondage , and despise the rule Of an unmanly , fickle , froward fool . Whate're the husbands be , they covet fruit , And their own wishes to their sorrows contribute . How painfully the fruit within them grows , What tortures do their ripened births disclose , How great , how various , how uneasie are The breeding sicknesses , pangs that prepare The violent openings of lifes narrow door , Whose fatal issues we as oft deplore ! What weaknesses , what languishments ensue , Scattering dead Lillies where fresh Roses grew . What broken rest afflicts the careful nurse , Extending to the breasts the mothers curse ; Which ceases not when there her milk she dries , The froward child draws new streams from her eyes . How much more bitter anguish do we find Labouring to raise up vertue in the mind , Then when the members in our bowels grew , What sad abortions , what cross births ensue ? What monsters , what unnatural vipers come Eating their passage through their parents womb ; How are the tortures of their births renew'd , Unrecompenc'd with love and gratitude : Even the good , who would our cares requite , Would be our crowns , joys , pillars , and delight , Affect us yet with other griefs and fears , Opening the sluces of our ne're dried tears . Death , danger , sickness , losses , all the ill That on the children falls , the mothers feel , Repeating with worse pangs , the pangs that bore Them into life , and though some may have more Of sweet and gentle mixture , some of worse , Yet every mothers cup tasts of the curse . And when the heavy load her faint heart tires , Makes her too oft repent her fond desires , Now last of all , as Adam last had been Drawn into the prevaricating sin , His sentence came : Because that thou didst yield , ( Said God ) to thy enticing wife , The field Producing briars and fruitless thorns to thee , Accursed for thy sake and sins shall be . Thy careful brows in constant toyls shall sweat , Thus thou thy bread shalt all thy whole life eat , Till thou return into the earths vast womb ; Whence , taken first , thou didst a man become ; For dust thou art , and dust again shalt be When lifes declining spark goes out in thee . In all these Sentences we strangely find Gods admirable love to lost mankind ; Who though he never will his word recal , Or let his threats like shafts at randome fall , Yet can his Wisdome order curses so That blessings may out of their bowels flow . Thus death the door of lasting life became , Dissolving nature , to rebuild her frame , On such a sure foundation , as shall break All the attempts Hells cursed Empire make . Thus God reveng'd mans quarrel on his foe , To whom th' Almighty would no mercy show , Making his reign , his respite , and success , All augmentations of his cursedness . Thus gave he us a powerful Chief and Head , By whom we shall be out of bondage led . And made the penalties of our offence , Precepts and rules of new obedience , Fitted in all things to our fallen State , Under sweet promises , that ease their weight . Our first injunction is to hate and flie The flatteries of our first grand enemy ; To have no friendship with his cursed race , The int'rest of the opposite seed t' embrace , Where though we toyl in fights , tho' bruis'd we be , Yet shall our combate end in victory : Eternal glory , healing our slight wound , When all our labours are with triumph crown'd . The next command is , mothers should maintain Posterity , not frighted with the pain , Which tho' it make us mourn under the sense Of the first mothers disobedience , Yet hath a promise that thereby she shall Recover all the hurt of her first fall , When , in mysterious manner , from her womb Her father , brother , husband , son shall come . Subjection to the husband's rule enjoyn'd , In the next place , that yoak with love is lin'd , Love too a precept made , where God requires We should perform our duties with desires ; And promises t' encline our averse will , Whose satisfaction takes away the ill Of every toyl , and every suffering That can from unenforc'd submission spring ; The last command , God with mans curse did give , Was that men should in honest callings live , Eating their own bread , fruit of their own sweat ; Nor feed like drones on that which others get : And this command a promise doth implie , That bread should recompence our industry . One mercy more his sentence did include , That mortal toyls , faintings and lassitude , Should not beyond deaths fixed bound extend , But there in everlasting quiet end ; When men out of the troubled air depart , And to their first material dust revert , The utmost power that death or woe can have Is but to shut us pris'ners in the grave , Bruising the flesh , that heel whereon we tread , But we shall trample on the serpents head . Our scatter'd atoms shall again condense , And be again inspir'd with living sense ; Captivity shall then a captive be , Death shall be swallow'd up in victory , And God shall man to Paradise restore , Where the foul tempter shall seduce no more How far our parents , whose sad eyes were fixt On woe and terror , saw the mercy mixt , We can but make a wild uncertain guess , As we are now affected in distress , Who less regard the mitigation still Than the slight smart of our afflicting ill ; And while we groan under the hated yoak , Our gratitude for its soft lining choak . But God having th' amazed sinners doom'd , Put off the Judges frown and reassum'd A tender fathers kind and melting face Opening his gracious arms for new embrace , Taught them to expiate their heinous guilt By spotless sacrifice and pure blood spilt , Which done in faith did their faint hearts sustain , Till the intended lamb of God was slain , Whose death , whose merit , and whose innocence , The forfeit paid and blotted out th' offence . The skins of the slain beasts , God vestures made , Wherein the naked sinners were array'd , Not without mystery , which typifi'd That righteousness that doth our foul shame hide . As when a rotting patient must endure Painful excisions to effect his cure , His spirits we with cordials fortifie , Lest , unsupported , he should faint and die : So with our parents the Almighty dealt , Before their necessary woes they felt , Their feeble souls rich promises upheld , And their deliverance was in types reveal'd , Even their bodies God himself did arm With clothes that kept them from the weathers harm , But after all , they must be driven away , Nor in their forfeit Paradise must stay . Then , said the Lord , with holy ironie , Whence man the folly of his pride might see , The earthy man like one of us is grown , To whom , as God , both good and ill is known , Now lest he also eat of th' other tree Whose fruit gives life , and an Immortal be , Let us by just and timely banishment His further sinful arrogance prevent . Then did he them out of the garden chace , And set a Cherubim to guard the place ; Who wav'd a flaming Sword before the door , Through which the wretches must return no more : May we not liken to this Sword of flame The threatning law which from Mount Sinai came , With such thick flashes of prodigious fire As made the mountains shake and men retire : Forbidding them all forward hope , that they Could enter into life that dreadful way . Whate're it was , whate're it signifies , It kept our parents out of Paradise , Who now returning to their place of birth Found themselves strangers in their native earth . Their fatal breach of Gods most strict command Had there dissolv'd all concord , the sweet band Of universal loveliness and peace . And now the calm in every part did cease ; Love , tho' immutable , its smiles did shrowd Under the dark veil of an angry cloud . And while he seem'd withdrawn , whose grace upheld The order of all things , confusion fill'd The Universe . The air became impure , And frequent dreadful conflicts did endure With every other angry element ; The whirling fires its tender body rent . From earth and seas gross vapours did arise , Turn'd to prodigious Meteors in the skies ; The blustring winds let loose their furious rage , And in their battels did the floods engage . The Sun confounded was with natures shame , And the pale Moon shrunk in her sickly flame ; The rude congressions of the angry Stars In Heaven , begun the universal wars , While their malicious influence from above , On earth did various perturbations move , Droughts , inundations , blastings , kill'd the plants ; Worse influence wrought on th' inhabitants , Inspiring lust , rage , ravenous appetite , Which made the creatures in all regions fight . The little insects in great clouds did rise , And in Battalia's spread , obscur'd the skies ; Armies of birds encountred in the air , With hideous cries deciding battles there ; The birds of prey to gorge their appetite , Seiz'd harmless fowl in their unwary flight . When the dim evening had shut in the day , Troops of wild beasts , all marching out for prey , To the restless flocks would go , and there Oft-times by other troops assailed were , Who snatcht out of their jaws the new slain food , And made them purchase it again with blood . Thus sin the whole creation did divide Into th' oppressing and the suffering side ; Those still employing craft and violence To ' ensnare and murther simple innocence , True emblems were of Satans craft and power In daily ambuscado to devour . Nor only emblems were , but organs too , In and by whom he did his mischiefs do , While persecuting cruelty and rage Them in his cursed party did engage . Love , meekness , patience , gentleness , combin'd The tamer brood with those of their own kind . Wherefore God chose them for his sacrifice , When he the proud and mighty did despise , And his most certain Oracles declare , They mans restored peace at last shall share : But to our parents , then , sad was the change Which them from peace and safety did estrange , Brought universal woe and discord in , The never failing consequents of sin ; Nor only made all things without them jar , But in their breasts rais'd up a civil war , Reason and sense maintain'd continual fight , Urging th' aversion and the appetite , Which led two different troops of passions out , Confounding all , in their tumultuous rout . The less world with the great proportion held : As winds the caverns , sighs the bosomes fill'd ; So flowing tears did beauties fair fields drown , As inndations kept within no bound . Fear earth-quakes made , lust in the fancy whirl'd , Turn'd into flame , and bursting fir'd the world : Spite , hate , revenge , ambition , avarice Made innocence a prey to monstrous vice . The cold and hot diseases represent The perturbations of the element . Thus woe and danger had beset them round , Distrest without , within no comfort found . Even as a Monarchs Favourite in disgrace Suffers contempt both from the high and base , And the most abject most insult o're them , Whom the offended Soveraigns condemn ; So after man th' Almighty disobey'd , Each little fly durst his late King invade , Aswell as the woods monsters , wolves and bears , And all things else that exercise his fears . Methinks I hear sad Eve in some dark Vale Her woful state , with such sad plaints , bewail : Ah! why doth death its latest stroke delay , If we must leave the light , why do we stay By slow degrees more painfully to die , And languish in a long calamity ? Have we not lost by one false cheating sin All peace without , all sweet repose within ? Is there a pleasure vet that life can show , Doth not each moment multiplie our woe : And while we live thus in perpetual dread , Our hope and comfort long before us dead ? Why should we not our angry maker pray At once to take our wretched lives away ? Hath not our sin all natures pure leagues rent And arm'd against us every element ? Have not our subjects their allegiance broke , Doth not each worm scorn our unworthy yoak ? Are we not half with griping hunger pin'd , Before we bread amongst the brambles find ? All pale diseases in our members reign , Anguish and grief no less our sick souls pain , Whereever I my eyes , or thoughts convert , Each object adds new tortures to my heart . If I look up , I dread heavens threatning frown , Thorns prick my eyes , when shame hath cast them down , Dangers I see , looking on either hand , Before me all in fighting posture stand . If I cast back my sorrow-drowned eyes , I see our ne're to be recover'd Paradise , The flaming Sword which doth us thence exclude , By sad remorse and ugly guilt pursued . If I on thee a private glance reflect , Confusion doth my shameful eyes deject , Seeing the man I love by me betray'd , By me , who for his mutual help was made , Who to preserve thy life ought to have died , And I have kill'd thee by my foolish pride ; Defil'd thy glory , and pull'd down thy throne . O that I had but sin'd , and died alone ! Then had my torture and my woe been less , I yet had flourisht in thy happiness . If these words Adams melting soul did move , He might reply with kind rebuking love . Cease , cease , O foolish woman , to dispute , Gods soveraign will and Power are absolute . If he will have us soon , or slow to die , Frail worms must yield , but must not question why . When his great hand appears , we must conclude All that he doth is wife , and just , and good ; Though our poor , sin-benighted fouls , are blind , Nor can the mysteries of his wisdome find , Yet in our present case we must confess His justice and our own unrighteousness . He warn'd us of this fatal consequence , That death must wait on disobedience ; Yet we despis'd his threat , and broke his law , So did destruction on our own heads draw ; Now under his afflicting hand we lie , Reaping the fruit of our iniquity . Which , had not he prevented , when we fell , At once had plung'd us in the lowest hell ; But by his mercy yet we have reprieve , And yet are shew'd how we in death may live , If we improve our short indulged space To understand , prize , and accept his grace . Did all of us at once like brutes expire , And cease to be , we might quick death desire : But since our chief and immaterial part , Not fram'd of dust , doth not to dust revert : Its death not an annihilation is , But to be cut off from its supream bliss : Whatever here to mortals can befal , Compar'd to future miseries is small , The saddest , sharpest , and the longest have Their final consummations in the grave , These have their intermissions and allays , Though black and gloomy ones , these nights have days , The worst calamities we here endure Admit a possibility of cure ; Our miseries here are varied in their kind , And in that change the wretched some ease find . Sleep here our pained senses stupifies , And cheating dreams in our sick fancies rise , But in our future sufferings 't is not so , There is no end , no intermitted woe , No more return from the accursed place , No hope , no possibility of grace , No sleepy intervals , no pleasant dreams , No mitigations of those sad extreams , No gentle mixtures , no soft changes there , Perpetual tortures , heightned with despair , Eternal horror , and eternal night , Eternal burnings , with no glance of light , Eternal pain . O 't is a thought too great , Too terrible , for any to repeat , Who have not scap'd the dread . Let 's not to shun Heavens scorching rays , into hells furnace run : But having slain our selves , let 's flie to him Who only can our souls from death redeem , To undo what 's done is not within our power , No more than to call back the last fled hour . To think we can our fallen state restore , Or without hope , our ruine to deplore , Are equal aggravating crimes ; the first Repeats that sin for which we were accurst , while we with foolish arrogating pride , More in our selves than in our God confide ; The last is both ungrateful and unjust , That doth his goodness , or his power distrust . Which wheresoe're we look , without , within , Above , beneath , in every place is seen , Doth Heaven frown ? Above the sullen shrouds God sits , and sees through all the blackest clouds Sin casts about us , like the misty night , Which hide his pleasing glances from our sight , Nor only sees , but darts on us his beams Ministring comfort in our worst extreams . When lightnings flie , dire storm and thunder roars , He guides the shafts , the serene calm restores . When shadows occupie days vacant room , He makes new glory spring from night dark womb . When the black Prince of air le ts loose the winds , The furious warriours he in prison binds . If burning stars do conflagrations threat , He gives cool breezes to allay the heat . When cold doth in its rigid season reign , He melts the snows , and thaws the air again ; Restoring the vicissitude of things , He still new good from every evil brings . He holds together the worlds shaken frame , Ordaining every change , is still the same . If he permit the elements to fight , The rage of storms , the blackness of the night ; 'T is that his power , love and wisdome may More glory have , restoring calm and day ; That we may more the pleasant blessings prize , Laid in the ballance with their contraries . Though dangers then , like gaping monsters stand Ready to swallow us on either hand ; Let us despise them , firm in this faith still , If God will save , they can nor hurt nor kill ; If by his just permission we are slain , His power can heal and quicken us again . If briers and thorns , which from our sins arise Looking on earth , pierce through our guilty eyes , Let 's yet give thanks they have not choak'd the seed Which should with better fruit our sad lives feed . If discord set the inward world on fire , With hast let 's to the living spring retire , There quench , and quiet the disturbed soul , There on Loves sweet refreshing green banks rowl , Where ecstasied with joy , we shall not feel The Serpents little nibblings at our heel . If we look back on Paradise , late lost , Joys vanisht like swift dreams , thaw'd like a frost , Converting pleasant walks to dirt and mire , Would we such frail delights again desire , Which at their best , however excellent , Had this defect , they were not permanent ? If sin , remorse , and guilt give us the chace , Let us lie close in mercies sweet embrace , Which when it us asham'd , and naked found In the soft arms of melting pity bound ; Eternal glorious triumphs did prepare , Arm'd us with clothes against the wounding air , By expiating sacrifices taught , How new life shall by death to light be brought . If we before us look , although we see All things in present fighting posture be : Yet in the promise we a prospect have Of victory swallowing up the empty grave ; Our foes all vanquisht , death it self lies dead , And we shall trample on the monsters head . Entring into a new and perfect joy , Which neither sin nor sorrow can destroy : A lasting and refin'd felicity , For which even we our selves refin'd must be . Then shall we laugh at our now childish woes , And hug the birth that issues from these throes . Let not my share of grief afflict thy mind , But let me comfort in thy courage find ; 'T was not thy malice , but thy ignorance That lately my destruction did advance ; Nor can I my own self excuse ; 't was I Undid my self by my facility . Let 's not in vain each other now upbraid , But rather strive to afford each other aid : And our most gracious Lord with due thanks bless , Who hath not left us single in distress . When fear chills thee , my hope shall make thee warm , When I grow faint , thou shalt my courage arm ; When both our spirits at a low ebb are , We both will joyn in mutual fervent prayer To him whose gracious succour never fails , When sin and death poor feeble man assails , He that our final triumph hath decreed , And promis'd thee salvation in thy seed . Ah! can I this in Adams person say , While fruitless tears melt my poor life away ? Of all the ills to mortals incident , None more pernicious is than discontent , That brat of unbellef , and stubborn pride , And sensual lust , with no joy satisfied , That doth ing ratitude and murmur nurse , And is a sin which carries its own curse ; This is the only smart of every ill ; But can we without it sad tortures feel ? Yes ; if our souls above our sense remain , And take not in th' afflicted bodies pain , When they descend and mix with the disease , Then doth the anguish live , reign , and encrease Which when the soul is not in it , grows saint , And wastes its strength , not nourisht with complaint , Submissive , humble , happy , sweet content A thousand deaths by one death doth prevent ; When our rebellious wills subdued thereby Into th' eternal will and wisdome , die ; Nor is that will harsh or irrational , But sweet in that which we most bitter call , Who err in judging what is ill or good , Only by studying that will , understood . What we admire in a low Paradise , If they our souls from heavenly thoughts entice , Here terminating our most strong desire , Which should to perfect permanence aspire , From being good to us they are so far , That they our fetters , yoaks and poysons are , The obstacles of our felicity , The ruine of our souls most firm healths be , Quenching that life-maintaining appetite , Which makes substantial fruit our sound delight . The evils , so miscall'd , that we endure Are wholsome medicines tending to our cure , Only disease to these aversion breeds , The healthy soul on them with due thanks feeds . If for a Prince , a Mistress , or a Friend , Many do joy their bloods and lives to spend , Wealth , honour , ease , dangers and wounds despise , Should we not more to Gods will sacrifice ? And by free gift prevent that else-sure loss ? Whate're our will is , we must bear the cross , Which freely taken up , the weight is less , And hurts not , carried on with chearfulness ; Besides , what we can lose , are gliding streams , Light airy shadows , unsubstantial dreams , Wherein we no propriety could have But that which our own cheating fancy gave ; The right of them was due to God alone , And when with thanks we render him his own , Either he gives us back our offerings , Or our submission pays with better things : Were ills as real as our fancies make , They soon must us , or we must them forsake ; We cannot miss ease and vicissitude , Till our last rest our labours shall conclude . Natural tears there are , which in due bound Do not the soul with sinful sorrow drown , Repentant tears too are no fretting brine , But loves soft meltings , which the soul refine , Like gentle showers , that usher in the spring , These make the soul more fair and flourishing . No murmuring winds of passions here prevail , But the life-breathing Spirits sweet fresh gale , Which by those fruitful drops all graces feeds , And draws rich extracts from the soaked seeds , But worldly sorrow , like rough winters storms , All graces kills , all loveliness deforms , Augments the evils of our present state , And doth eternal woes anticipate . Vain is that grief which can no ill redress , But adds affliction to uneasiness ; Unnerving the souls powers , then , when they shou'd Most exercise their constant fortitude . With these most certain truths let 's wind up all , Whatever doth to mortal men befall Not casual is , like shafts at randome shot , But Providence distributes every lot , In which th' obedient and the meek rejoyce , Above their own preferring Gods wise choice : Nor is his providence less good than wise , Tho' our gross sense pierce not its mysteries . As there 's but one most true substantial good , And God himself is that Beatitude : So can we suffer but one real ill , Divorce from him by our repugnant will , Which when to just submission it returns , The reunited soul no longer mourns , His serene rays dry up its former tears , Dispel the tempest of its carnal fears , Which dread what either never may arrive , Or not as seen in their false perspective ; For in the crystal mirror of Gods grace All things appear with a new lovely face . When that doth Heavens more glorious palace show We cease to ' admire a Paradise below , Rejoyce in that which lately was our loss , And see a Crown made up of every Cross. Return , return , my soul to thy true rest , As young benighted birds unto their nest , There hide thy self under the wings of love Till the bright morning all thy clouds remove . FINIS . Notes, typically marginal, from the original text Notes for div A25742-e280 Es. 10. 5 , 6 , 7 , &c. Eccl. 6. 10. Es. 27. 4. Gen. 45. 4 , 5. Act. 2. 23. Gen. 50. 20. Jam. 1. 17. Rom. 1. 19. Deut. 29. 29. Gen. 1. 1. Job 11. 7. 1 Tim. 6. 16. & 1. 17. Ps. 104. 2. Es. 40. 12. Job 38. Rom. 1 20. Heb. 11. 27. Esai . 44. 6. Rom. 11. 36. Act. 17. 24 , 26 , 28. Eph. 4. 5. The Trinity . 1 Joh. 5. 7. Mat. 28. 19. Mat. 3. 16 , 17. Joh. 14. 10. Prov. 8. 22 , 30. Jo. 1. 1. Phil. 2. 6. Joh. 5. 18. Joh. 1. 14. 1 Cor. 1. 14. Joh. 16. 13 , 14. Joh. 15. 16. Joh. 5. 17. Heb. 12. 19. Es. 42. 4. Joh. 5. 26. 1 Cor. 8. 6. Joh. 5. 19. Eph. 1. 11. 2 Tim. 1. 9. Jo. 1. 3. Heb. 1. 2. Joh. 5. 19 , &c. Gen. 1. 2. Job 26. 13. Rev. 4. 11. Psal. 147 , & 148. Act. 17. 24. Job 33. 12. Psal. 95. 3. Rev. 19. 6. Ps. 16. 11. Gen. 17. 10. Job 35. ● . Psal. 16. 2. Rev. 1. 8. Esa. 41. 4. Gen. 1. 1. Time. Be resheth In Capite , Principio . Rev. 10. 6. 2 Pet. 3. 12. Heb. 12. 27 , 28. Heaven . Heb. 11. 10. Es. 66. 1. Mat. 5. 34. 1 King. 8. 27. Luk. 23. 43. 1 Cor. 13. 13. 1 Joh. 4. 16. Psal. 16. 11. Rev. 20. 5. Heb. 4. 9. Rev. 14. 13. Rev. 22. 2. Joh. 15. 1. Rev. 21. 25 , 26. Ps. 1 10 Ex. 15. 17 , 18. Rev. 7. 17. 1 Pet. 1. 4. Col. 3. 1 , 2 , 24. Heb. 12. 2. Psal. 73. 25. 2 Tim. 4. 8. Joh. 14 2. Heb. 11. Psal. 15. 1. & 122. 3. Heb. 12. 22. 2 Cor. 5. 1. Rev. 21. 23. 2 Cor. 12. 2. 1 Pet. 1. 4. Joel 2. 30. Esa. 34. 4. Ps. 102. 26. 1 Pet. 3. 7 , 12. Rev. 21. 27. Es. 4. 5. Angels . Esa. 48. 2. Mat. 26. 53. 2 Sam. 14. 17. 2 Thes. 1. 7. Dan. 9. 21. Es. 6. 6. Col. 2. 18. Rom. 8. 38. 1 Thes. 4. 16. Ps. 103. 20 , 21. Gen. 3. 24. Dan. 7. 10. Mat. 6. 10. Psal. 91. 11 , 12. 2 King. 19. 35. Gen. 32. 1. Luk. 2. 13 , 14. Gen. 32. 1 , 2. Gen. 19. 1. Psa. 104. 4. Lu. 16. 20. Mat. 13. 39. Heb. 12. 22. Earth's Chaos . Gen. 1. 2. Gen. 1. 3 , 4 , 5. Joh. 3. 19 , 20 , 21. Col. 1. 12 , 13. 1 Pet. 1. 24. Psa. 97. 11. Notes for div A25742-e5180 Gen. 1. 6. The Firmament . Psal. 104. 2 , 3. Job 38. 22 , 23. 2 Pet. 3. 5. Job 37. 18. Ps. 147. 16 , 17 , 18. Job 26. to the end . Ps. 18. 8 , 9 , 10 , 11 , 12 , 13 , 14. Job 38. 27 , &c. Ex. 9. 2. Gen. 1. 10 , &c. Psa. 104. 6 , 7 , 8 , 9 , 10. Eccl. 1. 7. Eccl. 1. 4. Rom. 4. 22. Eph. 2. 6. Ps. 102. 25. Job 26. 7. Gen. 2. 9. Ps. 104. 14. Ps. 90. 5 , 6. Job 14. 2. Es. 40. 6 , 7 , 8. Mat. 6. 28 , 29 , 30. Jam. 1. 10 , 11. Job 14. 7 , 8. 1 Cor. 3. 15. Gen. 1. 12. The fourth day . Hab. 3. 17 , 18. Gen. 1. 14. &c. Sun. Psal. 19. 4 , 5 , 6. Moon . Stars . Act. 27. 10. Judg. 5. Mat. 2. Lu. 22. 28. Psal. 19. Gen. 1 20 , &c. Job 41. Mat. 10. 16. Mat. 8. 26. & 10. 19. Gen. 1. 2 Es. 1. 3. Notes for div A25742-e9690 Psal. 8. 6. Gen. 1. 26 , &c. Eph. 4. 24. Psal. 8. Eccl. 3. 11. Mat. 11. 25. Ps. 144. 12. Prov 15. 1. 1 Joh. 2. 26. Mat. 5. 28. 1 Pet. 2. 14. Jam. 5. 11. Pro. 1. 10 , 11 , 12. Pro. 25. 11. Eccl. 12. 11. Jam. 3. 6. Job 4. 19. Eccl. 7. 29. Gen. 2. 8. Gen. 3. 8. Gen. 2. 10. Gen. 2. 11. ver . 13. ver . 14. Gen. 2. 9. ver . 19 , &c. Society . Ez. 36. 37. Gen. 2. 18. Heb. 12. 23. Eccl. 4. 8 , &c. 1 Cor. 12. 5 , 6 , 7 , 8 , 9 , 10 , 11 , 12. Mat. 5. 16. 15. Eccl. 5. 9. Mat. 15. 36. Rom. 13. 9 , 10. 1 Cor. 13. Gen. 2. 21 , 22. ver . 23 , 24. Eph. 5. 31. Mat. 19. 5. Gen. 1. 28 , &c. Gen. 2. 22. Heb. 134. Prov. 18. 22. Psa. 127. 3 , 4 , 5. Psa. 121. 3 , 4 , 5. Job 33. 15 , 16 , 17 , &c. Deut. 32. 36. Rom. 4. 19 Joh. 19. 34. 1 Joh. 5. 6. Tir. 5. 5. Phil. 4. 13. 2 Cor. 12. 9. Joh. 5. 2. Eph. 2. 1 , 5 , 6 , &c. 2 Tim. 1. 10. Es. 53. 5. Act. 20. 28. Eph. 5. 25 , 26 , 27 , &c. Rev. 5. 19. Joh. 17. 9 , 10. Psal. 2. 8. Cant. 2. 16. & 4. 10. 1 Cor. 3. 22 , 23. Joh. 6. 38 , 39. Rev. 5. 9 , 10. Phil. 2. 9. Joh 19. 27. Col. 2. 13 , 14 , 15. 1 Cor. 15. 54 , 55 , 21 , 22. Joh. 17. 23 , 24. & 14. 3. Eph. 4. 9 , 10 , &c. Rom. 8. 17 , 18. 2 Tim. 2. 12. Col. 1. Eph. 1. Joh. 1. 16. Act. 9. 4. Mat. 25. 34. and forward . Heb. 4. 13. & 10. 19 , 20. 1 Pet. 1. 2. Heb. 13. 12. 1 Pet. 1. 10 , 11 , 12. Eph. 3. 9 , 10. Heb. 8. 5. 2 Pet. 2. 14. Mat. 5. 28. Gen. 2. 1. ver . 16. ver . 19. Gen. 1. 31. Gen. 2. 2 , 3. Ex. 20. 8. Pro. 8. 22 , 30 , 31. Mat. 3. 17. Joh. 5. 17 , 20 , 21. Jer. 9. 24. Psal. 104. & 147. & 145. Eccl. 9. 10. Heb. 6. 1. Phil. 3. 19. 1 Cor. 10. 30. 1 Joh 5. 3. Ps. 119. 9. Mat. 6. 33. Col. 3. 1. Heb. 5. 12 , 13 , 14. Es. 58. 13. Job 1. 6. Heb. 10. 25. Mat. 2. 27. Ez. 20. 12. Heb. 4. 9. & 12. 22. Am. 8. 5. Rom. 13. 3 , 4. 1 Thes. 4. 11. 1 Tim. 5 8. Pro. 19. 15. & 10. 26. 1 Tim. 4. 4 , 5. 1 Joh. 2. 17. 1 Cor. 7. 31 , 20. Notes for div A25742-e18100 Gen. 1. 31. Rom. 9. 21 , 22 , 23. Rom. 11. Rom. 3. 6. Gen. 18. 25. Rom. 11. 33. 1 Cor. 10. 12. Rom. 16. 20. Psal. 2. Jos. 24. 19. Psal. 5. 4 , 5 , 6. & 7. 11. &c. & 11. 5 , 6. 1 Pet. 1. 10. Eph. 1. 4 , 11. Joh. 3. 16. Eph. 2. 5. Rom. 8. 35 , 36 , 37 , 38 , 39. Rom. 5. 5 , &c. 1 Pet. 4. 12 , 13 , 14. Eccl. 7. 29. Jude 6. Joh. 8. 44. Jer. 2 13. Devils . Eph. 2. 2. Act. 26. 18. Mat. 25. 41. Rev. 20. 10. Lu. 10. 18. Jude 6. 2 Pet. 2. 4. Hab. 1. 13. Lu. 10. 18. Jam. 3. 6. Joh. 8. 44. Jud. 6. 1 Cor. 6. 3. Mat. 8. 29. Gen. 3. 15. 1 Pet. 5. 8. Job 1. 7 , &c. Rev. 12. 10. Mark 3. 22 , 24 , 25 , 26. Rev. 20. 10. Luk. 8. 30. Mat. 12. 25 , 26. Rev. 20. 2 , 7 , 8. Job 2. 6. Col. 2. 14 , 15. Heb. 2. 9 , 14. Luk. 22. 3. 2 Tim. 2. 25 , 26. Eph. 6. 11 , 12 , &c. 1 Pet. 5. 8. Rev. 12. 12. Lu. 16. 24. Rev. 14. 10 , 11. Mat. 25. 41. Luk. 22. 31 , 32. Joh. 17. 20. Mat. 4. Heb. 2. 18. & 4. 15. & 7. 25. Rom. 16. 20. Rev. 12. 7 , 8. Mat. 4. 11. Jude 9. Lu. 15. 10. & 16. 22. Heb. 12. 22. Joh. 8. 44. 1 Pet. 3. 13. Gen. 3. 1 , &c. 2 Tim. 3. 6. Pro. 1. 10 , &c. 1 Joh. 3. 8. Joh. 16. 11. Rom. 5. 12. Esa. 48. 22. Psa. 39. 11. Ps. 1 39. 11. Eccl. 1. 18. Prov. 1. 7. Psal. 11● . 10. 1 Cor. 1. 20 , 21. & 2. 14. Jam. 3. 15 , 16 , 17. Ps. 97. 3 , 4. Es. 9. 5. & 66. 15 , 16. 1 Thes. 1. 8. 2 Pet. 3. 12. Rev. 1. 7. Joel 3. 15 , 16. Mat. 24. 29. Rev. 19. 20. Heb. 12. 11. Psal. 89. 31 , 32 , 33. Gen. 4. 14. Act. 9. Psal. 130. 7 , 4. Lam. 3. 1 , &c. Mat. 27. 46. Job 13. 15. Hos. 6. 1 , 2 , 3. Mal. 3. 2 , 3. Rev. 1. 5. Rom 12. 1. Joh. 16. 9 , 10. Mat. 11. 28. Luk. 7. 47. 1 Joh. 4. 10. Lam. 3. 22 , 23. Lam. 3. 26 , 29 , &c. Hos. 2. 15. Notes for div A25742-e23290 Gen. 3. 8. 2 Sam. 23. 3. Gen. 3. 9 , 10 , 11 , 12. ver . 13. Rom. 9. 19. Ez. 18. 2. Jam. 1. 13 , 14 , 15. Psal. 51. 3 , 4 , 5. & 32. 5. 1 Joh. 1. 8 , 9 , 10. 1 Pet. 5. 8. Mat. 13. 25. Jude 6. Mal. 3. 6. Zac. 6. 13. 1 Cor. 2. 9. Rom. 11. 22. Esa. 7. 14. Rom. 8. 2 , 3 , 4. Act. 13. 10. Mat. 3. 7. Psal. 22. 30. Jer. 31. 22. Eph. 6. 12. Joh. 8. 44. Jude 9. Gen. 6. 2 , 4 , 5. Heb. 2. 10. Act. 5. 31. Eph. 2. 2. Joh. 15. 18 , 19. Lu. 12. 32. Ps. 105. 12 , 13 , 14 , 15. Esa. 9. 6 , 7. Rev. 12. 12. Joh. 16. 30. Joh. 16. 20. Mat. 10. 34. Psal. 2. 1. Rev. 12. 7 , 9. Dan. 10. 13 , 21. Psa. 104. 4. Rom. 16. 20. Psa. 50. 15. Es. 41. 9. Psa. 130. 4. Luk. 1. 74. Gal. 3. 8 , 16. 1 Cor. 15. 54 , 57. 1 Cor. 3. 15. Gal. 3. 13. Gen. 3. 16 , &c. Gen. 39. 7. 1 Cor. 7. 34 , 39 , 40. 1 Pet. 3. 5. Gen. 29. 20. 1 Sam. 25 , 25. Gen. 30. 1. & 35. 18. Mat. 24. 19. Joh. 16. 21. Prov. 10. 1. Pro. 15. 20. Luk. 2. 48 , 35. Mat. 2. 18. Gen. 27. 46. Gen. 3. 17. Ps. 103. 14. & 104. 29. 2 Cor. 4. 6. 2 Tim. 1. 10. Lu. 18. 7 , 8. Zac. 9. 10 , 11 , 12. Mat. 11. 29 , 30. 1 Joh. 5. 3. Prov. 1. 10 , &c. Eph. 5. 11. 1 Tim. 6. 12. Jude 3. Rev. 2. 10. Mic. 7. 16 , 17. 1 Tim. 2. 15. Es. 9. 6. Heb. 2. 12 , 13. Eph. 5. 25 , &c. Luk. 1. 35. 1 Pet. 3. 1 , 2. 1 Thes. 4. 11 , 12. 2 Thes. 3. 12. Rev. 14. 13. Mat. 10. 28. Job 3. 17 , 18 , 19. Eccl. 3. 20. 1 Thes. 4. 14. Es. 26. 19. Job 19. 26 , 27. 1 Cor. 15. 20 , 21 , 22 , 26 , 54 , 55 , 57. Act. 2. 24. Psa. 68. 18. Esa. 43. 2 , &c. 1 Pet. 4. 12 , 13. Jer. 30. 11 , &c. Mic. 7. 18 , 19. Es. 49. 15. Jer. 31. 20. Psal. 50. 5. 1 Pet. 1. 19. Heb. 11. 4. Dan. 9. 26 , 27. Joh. 1. 29. Ps. 40. 6 , 7. 1 Joh. 2. 2. Rev. 1. 5. & 5. 9 , 10. Rom. 5. 10 , 19. Col. 2. 14. Ps. 32. 1 , 2. Rev. 19. 8. Rom. 3. 22. & 13. 14. Gal. 3. 27. Zac. 3. 4 , 5. Deut. 33. 27. Mat. 6. 30. Psa. 89. 32 , 33 , 34. Gen. 3. 22. Heb. 1. 7 , 12 , 18 , 19 , 20 , 21. 1 Pet. 2. 11. Heb. 11. 13. Psa. 39. 12. Rev. 3. 19. Psal. 75. 3. Psal. 107. 25 , 26 , 27. Jud. 5. 20. Psa. 78. 45 , 46 , 47 , 48. Psal. 104. 20 , 21 , 22. 1 Pet. 5. 8. Rev. 12. 8 , 12. Rom. 8. 20 , 21. Es. 11. 7. & 65. 25. Es. 57. 20 , 21. Eph. 2. 12 , 13 , 14. Job 3. Jonah 4. 3. Psa. 115. 3. Rom. 9. 20 , 21 , 22 , 23. Ps. 119. 68. Rom. 3. 4. Psal. 51. 4. Gen. 18. 25. Rom. 6. ult . Gen. 6. 3. 1 Pet. 3. 20. Joh. 11. 25. Mat. 25. 41 , 46. Luk. 16. 21 , 22. Mat. 10. 28. Psa. 130. 1. Psal. 107. Esa. 29. 8. Lu. 16. 26. Rom. 2. 8 , 9. Jude 13. Mat. 13. 50. Lu. 16. 24. Mat. 8. 12. & 22. 13. Rev. 19. 20. Hos. 13. 9. Rom. 3. 16. Psa. 103. 4. Eph. 2. 4 , 6 , 7 , 8 , 9 , 10. Rom. 3. 27. Psal. 36. 5 , 6. Esa. 44. 22. Lam. 3. 44 , 31 , 32 , 25. Job 37. 11 , 12 , 13. Esa. 40. 1 , 2. & 57. 18 , 19. Joh. 14. 18. Esa. 25. 4. Psal. 78. 16 , 17. Psal. 30. 5. Luk. 8. 24 , 25. Esa. 27. 8. Esa. 4. 6. Cant. 2. 11 , 12. Gen. 8. 22. Psal. 147. 17 , 18. Esa. 45. 6 , 7 , 8. Psal. 75. 3. Jam. 1. 17. Psal. 102. 26 , 27. Mal. 3. 6. Esa. 54. 11. Jer. 31. 35 , 36. 2 Cor. 4. 17. Esa. 54. 6 , 7 , 8 , 9 , 10. Psal. 46. 1 , 2. Esa. 8. 9 , 10 , 12 , 13 , 14. Esa. 51. 11 , &c. Gen. 50. 20. 2 Sam. 17. 14. Esther 5. 14. & 6. 13. & 7. 10. Ezek. 37. 1 , &c. Esa. 19. 22. Jer. 30. 17. Act. 14. 17. Joh. 7. 37 , 38. Psal. 23. 1 , 2. 6. 7. Col. 3. 1 , 2. Psal. 107. 35 , 36 , 34 , 33. 1. Cor. 7. 31. Eccles. 1. 2. 2 Cor. 4. 18. Psal. 49. 4 , 15. Rev. 3. 18 , 20. Psa. 32. 1 , 2. 1 Joh. 2 2. 25. 1 Cor. 15. 54 , 55 , 26. Hos. 13. 14. Rom. 16. 20. Mat. 25. 21. Rev. 20. 4. Mal. 3. 2 , 3. Col. 1. 12. Joh. 16. 21. 22. Gal. 2. 20. Mat. 11. Luk. 9. 23 , 24. Psal. 90. 5 , 6 , 9. & 49. 10 , 11 , 12 , 13. Lu. 12. 20. Job 1. 21 & 42. 10 , 11 , 12. 2 Cor. 7. 10. Psa. 116. 7. 
A66751	----	Divine poems (by way of paraphrase) on the Ten commandments illustrated with twelve copper plates, shewing how personal punishments has been inflicted on the transgressors of these Commandments, as is recorded in the Holy Scriptures : also a metrical paraphrase upon the Creed and Lords prayer / written by George Wither. Wither, George, 1588-1667. 1688 Approx. 155 KB of XML-encoded text transcribed from 68 1-bit group-IV TIFF page images. Text Creation Partnership, Ann Arbor, MI ; Oxford (UK) : 2005-12 (EEBO-TCP Phase 1). A66751 Wing W3154 ESTC R25189 08792279 ocm 08792279 41837 This keyboarded and encoded edition of the work described above is co-owned by the institutions providing financial support to the Early English Books Online Text Creation Partnership. This Phase I text is available for reuse, according to the terms of Creative Commons 0 1.0 Universal . The text can be copied, modified, distributed and performed, even for commercial purposes, all without asking permission. Early English books online. (EEBO-TCP ; phase 1, no. A66751) Transcribed from: (Early English Books Online ; image set 41837) Images scanned from microfilm: (Early English books, 1641-1700 ; 1272:5) Divine poems (by way of paraphrase) on the Ten commandments illustrated with twelve copper plates, shewing how personal punishments has been inflicted on the transgressors of these Commandments, as is recorded in the Holy Scriptures : also a metrical paraphrase upon the Creed and Lords prayer / written by George Wither. Wither, George, 1588-1667. [15], 116, [3] p. : ill. Printed by T.S., and are to be sold by R. Janeway, London : 1688. "Never before printed." "Licensed according to order." Reproduction of original in the Cambridge University Library. Created by converting TCP files to TEI P5 using tcp2tei.xsl, TEI @ Oxford. 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Religious poetry, English -- Early modern, 1500-1700. 2005-06 TCP Assigned for keying and markup 2005-06 Apex CoVantage Keyed and coded from ProQuest page images 2005-07 Emma (Leeson) Huber Sampled and proofread 2005-07 Emma (Leeson) Huber Text and markup reviewed and edited 2005-10 pfs Batch review (QC) and XML conversion Divine Poems ( by way of Paraphrase ) ON THE TEN Commandments . Illustrated with Twelve Copper Plates , shewing how Personal Punishments has been inflicted on the Transgressors of these Commandments , as is Recorded in the Holy Scripture . Never before printed . Also a Metrical Paraphrase upon the Creed and Lords Prayer . Written by George Wither Esque Author of Brittains Remembrancer . Psal . 119. 5. Would God my ways were so directed that I might keep thy Statutes . Licensed according to Order . LONDON Printed by T. S. And are to be sold by R. Janeway in Queens Head Ally in Pater Noster Row. 1688. To all such as have formerly been Friends to the Author , his Daughter and only surviving Child Dedicates these Meditations . IT was seldom my Fathers practice , ( especially of late years , ) to Dedicate his Works to particular or great Persons ; And did I attempt any euch thing now , I should be afraid lest I might disturb his rest in the Grave . All you therefore that had a kindness as well for his Person as his Works , I desire to accept of my good will in sending this Relique of his abroad in publick ; Which though it hath been written some considerable time , is but lately minded or come to hand . And however it happened to be bundled up with other old Writings ( where I found it ) yet I verily believe it was designed for the Press by thos many alterations he had made , which had so blur'd the Original Copy , that I was forced to get it Transcribed before it was fit for my self or any body else to read : And having now perused it , I could not in conscience conceal such necessary Truths as are therein contained , in hopes that it may take the effect himself desires in his Epistle to the Reader exprest in his Prayer ; believing , that that good Spirit which first dictated those Petitionary words will accompany them to the Worlds end . And then I also believe , that what I have done in making this publick will be acceptable both to God and Man , which that it may , shall ever be the Prayers of Your assured Friend in all Offices of Love and Service E. B. From my Lodgings at Mr. Snowdens a Printer , at the lower end of Great Carter-lane , the 23d of April , 1688. ADVERTISEMENT . THE Copper Plates mentioned in my Fathers following Epistle , in some of his removals from one Habitation to another have been lost , so that I have been forced to get new ones made . TO THE READER . IN that great Plague , which ( as I believe ) was the most contagious Pestilence that euer afflicted this City of London , it pleased God to enclose me there , and to give me grace to make such observations upon his Justice and Mercy , as I hope ( however others esteem of them ) shall never of me be forgotten during life . A while before this last Visitation , the same gracious God provided me a little place to escape unto , where I did but only hear of that which my Brethren suffered , and therefore ( as I may well fear ) was not so sensible of their misery as I ought to have been . Yet I was not altogether without Meditations as became the time , ( but as the necessities wherewithal God hath yet exercised me would give leave ) endeavoured to employ some hours in the consideration of things pertinent to the Honour of my Preserver , that I might not appear less thankful for this deliverance , which was without Terror , than I seemed to be for that which I obtained with fear and danger . Part of my Musings were upon the Moral Law , the neglect whereof ( being the cause of all Plagues ) is never impertinently thought upon , much less when the hand of God is extended to chastise us for infringment of the same . And what I then meditated , is now offered unto the publick view , that it might the oftner occasion me and others to be mindful of our Duties . Neither my Estate , nor the place I lived in would afford me the use of Books , at that time , therefore instead of them I perused mine own Heart to to see what I could read there : For in the Heart of Man it was originally written . And though our corruption hath now so defaced it that we need some helps to explain the essential meaning of the Holy Text long since written in Stone ; Yet if we would but be so diligent as good Antiquaries in examining defective Inscriptions upon decayed Monuments , we might sometime find the Truth more certainly than by trusting over-confidently to the search of others , who many times deliver their own Fancies instead of the right meaning of Gods Law. Others I confess ( though not many in the English Tongue ) have to this purpose devulged large Commentaries But some want Money to purchase them , and some want leisure to peruse them : for they are so large that many Readers had rather venture to break all the Commandments than to scan over those Tracts ; and yet perhaps these brief Meditations have expressed somewhat which is not found in any of them . I profess not ( as I have elsewhere said ) to teach the Learned , but to be unto them a Remembrancer only of what they already know ( which will otherwhile happen by this means even when they take up my Books to peruse them with contempt rather than for any better end ) yet they who are as Ingenious as Learned , have entertained them with good respect as not unuseful . The same Spiritual nourishment which others have tendred more artificially dressed for the publick Feasts of the Soul ; I have here and elsewhere indifferently fitted for their private refreshments , who are best nourished with plain Diet , and who have heretofore wanted either opportunities or due care to come to those Repasts . And if I can but find means to relieve the Blind and Lame in understanding , till a more powerful means shall fetch them from the Hedges and High-way-sides to be Guests at the great Banquet , I shall hope to have done somewhat worth my pains . Ignorant persons may be advantaged hereby mediately or immediately ; by receiving Information or occasion of Reformation : yea the Composing thereof in Verse will cause many to be the more delighted therewith ; Some the better to remember it , others out of curiosity to take notice of it , who may afterward give it more serious entertainment , and no doubt all good men will afford it a favourable censure so far as it shall deliver the Truth . So far only I desire it should be allowed , and in that desire do humbly submit the same to the Censure of Authority , and the Success to Gods blessing . Which I beseech Oh Glorious God so to manifest in this Mite vouchsafed out of the Infinite treasury of thy holy Spirit , that like a grain of Mustard Seed it may be fruitful to the encrease of Piety beyond the expectation answerable to so despised a means : For some in these days have perverted the plain meaning of thy Law ; yea some have lately strived both by their words and works to make the same wholly void and of no use , that they seem either not to have known , or to have quite forgotten ; That thy Truth remaineth from one Generation to another , or That thy righteousness is an everlasting righteousness , in so much that we may justly repeat unto thee this complaint of thy Prophet David ; Lord it is time for thee to lay to thine hand , for they have destroyed thy Law. Hear my prayer O Lord , and though I am small , and of no reputation , yet since I would not forget thy Law , deliver me from mine Oppressors , and so teach me thy Statutes , that I may keep them unto the end ; yea though the proud have me in derision , and almost made an end of me upon Earth , yet let my heart be made so upright in thy Statutes , that I may not be ashmed to remember thy promise made to thy Servant , even that wherein thou hast caused me to trust ; Let it quicken me , and be my comfort in my troubles . For thou art all my portion , and I have determined to keep thy word ; Before I was afflicted I went so much astray that it was good for me to have some troubles . O let me hereafter be always exercised in thy Law ; Let it be a Lanthorn unto my feet , and a Light unto my path . Look upon me , and be merciful unto me as thou usest to be unto those who love thy name . Let the proud be ashamed that they have dealt falsly with me . Let such as fear thee be turned unto me , and comfort thou me according to the years wherein I have been afflicted , that they who see it may glorifie thy name , for mine eyes have almost failed with waiting for thy assurance . Though I have gone astray like a Sheep , yet seek thy Servant , and deal with me according to thy mercy . Let all these my Supplications come before thee , that my Soul may live , that my Lips may praise thee , and that my Tongue may sing of thy Goodness and Mercy for ever and ever , Amen . Sir , among other kindnesses vouchsafed in your Neighbourhood , I received from you the Copper Plates , which are now made use of in this Book . The words which I have added unto those dumb Figures will make them ( I hope ) much more profitable , and cause them to be a means of publishing those Caveats and Universal Duties which are pertinent , as well to the General well-being of Mankind , as to the Glory of God ; which two things were the proper ends of our Creation , and ought also to be the chief care of our life . To those ends therefore , and that your cost might not be unprofitably bestowed , I have returned the Coppies of those Figures which you gave me , illustrated with such Meditations as my leisure and ability could afford . And they do now as well speak as make signs what is prepared for wilful Transgressors of these Laws , whereby if God may receive any honour , or his Children profit , I desire it may be some honour and advantage , which is the desire of Your Hearty and Well-wishing Friend GEO. WITHER . The Decalogue . And these wordes which I Command th● this day shal be in thine heart . And thou shall rehearse them Continually unto thy children and shalt talke of them when thou 〈◊〉 in thine house and as thou walkest by the way , and when thou liest downe & when thou risest up . And thou shalt binde them for a signe vpon 〈…〉 they Shal be as 〈…〉 thine eies Also thou shalt write them vpon the postes of thine house and vpon thy gate● 6 Deut : 6 . 7-8.9 . I THOV SHALT HAVE NONE OTHER GODS BVT ME II THOV SHALT NOT MAKE TO THY SELFE ANY GRAVEN YMAGE III THOV SHALT NOT TAKE Y e NAME OF Y e LORD THY GOD IN VAINE IIII REMEMBER THAT THOV KEEP HOLY Y e SABBOTH DAY V HONOR THY FATHER AND THY MOTHER VI THOV SHALT DO NO MVRDER VII THOV SHALT NOT COMMIT ADVLTERIE VIII THOV SHALT NOT STEALE IX THOV SHALT NOT BEARE FALSE WITNESSE X THOV SHALT NOT COVET Beholde I see before you this day a blessing and a Curse ; The blessing if ye Obey the Comaundements of the Lord your GOD which I Cōmand you this day . And the Curse if ye wil not obey y ● Commandements of y e Lord your GOD but t●●ne Out of the way which I Command you this day to go after other gods which ye haue not known . ●● Deut 26 27 28 Optimum ●●t aliena frui insania Happy shall that man become , Who this Law departs not from : Blessings will descend on him , From the Mount of Gerizim ; But from Ebal they shall hear Curses , who rebellious are . Death , for them , attending stands , Who shall break these just Commands ; And to those who them obey , God proposeth life for aye . THE Prologue Let All these following Lessons learn , For all Mankind these Laws concern . ALL you who Sons by Grace or Nature be , Give ear to what my Muses preach to me ; For , what I now do purpose to declare , No less , than Universal Statutes are , Which every Child of Adam ( here beneath ) Must keep in person , on the pain of Death , Or , by a faithful Penitence procure An able Pledge , to pay his Forfeiture . You , who by Nature , had the means to know What Duties , Creatures to their Maker owe ; Read here , what by God's Finger once was writ Within your hearts ; that you may practise it . And having lost that Light which Nature gave , Take what you may by Grace's tender have . On fleshly Tables once again renew The fair impression which at first he drew : For , 't was your Sin which thence Gods Law did blot And , Ignorance therefore excuseth not . You , whom the special grace of our Creator Brought by his power Almighty thro' the Water Of sound Baptism , ( and , within the Flood Of his dear Sons most pure and pretious Blood ; Drown'd all that Hoast of Sins , which our Grand Foe Had mustred , for our final overthrow : ) Observe you also , this renowned Law , To keep it , with a loving filial awe , Lest ( though you scap'd enraged Pharoh's Hoast ) Your entrance to the promis'd Rest be crost : And lest your following what your Lust deviz'd You , in your lawless wandrings be surpriz'd By those ( yet living Tyrants ) who possess The passages , of this Lifes Wilderness . For , though in Act we cannot keep entire So strict a Law , we may in our desire ; And where Desire is not perverted quite , We have a ready means to set it right . If any say or think this Obligation Pertaineth only to the Jewish Nation ; They are deceiv'd ; for if they well compare These Precepts , to those Laws which written are Within our hearts , it will be out of doubt That , these , are but the same transcribed out . In Stone , they were engraven long ago Lest all the World should quite forgetful grow Of these their Duties . To the Jews God gave them To be preserv'd from loss : From them we have them Distinguish'd by two Tables to be known , From Laws , that were peculiars of their own : And though some literal circumstance be found Appearing to oblige beyond the Bound Of Legal Ceremonies , which to some A means of stumbling and offence become ; Yet they , that meekly minded are , shall see The Essence whole , and so distinct to be From what is meerly Jewish ; that no Doubt Shall give the weaker conscience thereabout ; For that which is essential may be ' spide From what should only for a time abide As evidently as our bodies are Discerned from the ground which once we were . It is the Abstract of the Law of Nature ; And that which every Reasonable Creature Which hath a Body , must submit unto , With Incorporials , we have nought to do : Nor us , to search concerns it any way What Law they are obliged to obey . Salvation comes not by this Law indeed , Yet knowledge of our Sin , and that we need , A Saviour for it , by this Law is taught ; Till which be known , no safety can be wrought . T is true , we can keep it , yet it may Keep us , from running quite out of the way ; Or , keep us humble , That the works of Grace , May in our hearts , the better take their place . It maketh no man pure ; Yet 't is a Glass By which the fairest of old Adams race May view themselves deform'd , and also see In what defects they should repaired be . It makes not streight ; and yet it may supply A helpful means , our selves to rectify . It gives not sight ; but they that see may find It yieldeth light to those who grow not blind , By wilful faults ; and Stubbornly contemn Those Beams of Grace , which might enlighten them . It gives not strength to go , ( we must confess ) But , yet , it shews a way to happiness ; And , they who can but love it , when they know it , Shall either be vouchsafed strength to go it . By mediate help , or by immediate Grace , Exalted be to their desired place . It cannot merit Love , But it may shew , Whether , or no , our Love be false or true . Though 't is not life ; It is the death of Sin , Whereby the life of grace doth first begin To shew that living Faith , wherein consists The truth of their profession who are Christ's ; And they are not suspected without cause , False Christians , who conform not to these Laws . It is a needful Tutor , though it stand With looks still frowning , and with Rod in hand 'T is truly Good though Ill thereby we know , And oft befriends us , though it seem a Foe . It all condemns not , though it puts in fear , It brings to Christ ; and then it leaves us there . In brief , this Law shall ever be in force , Though from Believers God remove the Curse . It shall in Essence never fail a jot , ( Although some Accidents continue not ) And therefore , they whose Faith shall them prefer , Observe it as a good REMEMBRANCER . To these for comfort and encouragement , The promise which attends it we present With all the circumstances , which may give Assurances , of what they well believe ; Without those Plagues or Terrors which we find Presented to correct a slavish mind , For they that love their Founder need no bands But love to keep them true to these commands . Love is the Laws fulfilling , 't is that end To which both Laws and all good Actions tend : And he that Loves , unto himself is made A Law , whereto we nothing need to add . Before the rest , our Muse , to fright them sets The Tipes of punishments , and horrid Threats : If either , may bring home the Soul that errs , God's be the praise , the Comfort of it theirs . And let me share the prayers and the bliss Of those that shall pe profited by this . Amen . Commandment I. I Thou shalt have none other Gods but me &c. Pharoh , by great wonders wrought To acknowledge God was brought , And had Reasons light to see Who , his only God should be . Had he well that Guift employ'd , Special Grace , had been enjoy'd ; But , no use thereof he made , And so , lost the gift he had ; Stubborn too , the Fool did grow , And ran headlong to his woe . Command . I. Serve but one God , and let him be That God who made and ransom'd thee . TO such as love , our God of Love makes known A Duty , and a benefit , bestown ; That they might know the object of their Creed , And , in the way of Righteousness proceed . For , by the Preface ( of what follows here ) A freedom from a Bondage doth appear . And by the Substance of this great Command , A Duty we may likewise understand . To them whom no kind usage may perswade From sinful Paths ( till they afraid are made ) We here exhibit Pharoh , as a chief Of those , who suffered for an Unbelief Join with contempt of God ; that , such from thence Might moved be to faithful penitence , To them that shall with Reverence and fear Receive the holy precept which they hear , We shew with love and mercy how they may Observe the Streight , and Shun the crooked way . There is one God alone ; That God is he By whom we formed and reformed be , And they who serve another , or deny His Attributes , commit impiety . This God , ( that 's God indeed ) though he might say , My will and pleasure is , you shall obey Me only as your Lord , ( and unto us No reason render , why it should be thus ) Proceeds not so ; but hath declared why We should accept him for our Deity , And peradventure this vouchsafed he To teach them knowledge who his Viccars be ; And shew to us ( by being meek and kind ) How from false Gods the true one we may find . For to be God is to be good , and so In Goodness infinite , to overflow , That all may tast thereof ( excepting none ) Such is my God , and he is God alone . The Egyptian Bondage , tipified all The Race of Adam , in their native Thrall , And as their temporal Saviour , Moses than , Left not behind one hoof , much less a man , Inslav'd to Pharoh , so the blessed Son Of this Great God hath ransom'd every one From that sad house of Bondage and of pain Where we , without Redemption else had lain . For which great favour , he from us doth crave , That we no other God , but him should have . And that we love him with a Reverent awe , Which is the whole fulfilling of this Law This Gracious God , by many is rejected , And as they understand , or stand affected , They take , or make up New ones of such things As almost to contempt , the Godhead brings . He of himself would make some Deity Who his own power so much doth magnify , As if by that he thought to gain access To present and to future happiness . He makes the World his God who thinketh fit To love , to follow , serve , and honour it ; As many do , and they who much incline To love this God , are enemies to mine . He makes his Lust a God who doth fulfil In every thing his own unbridled Will : This Tyrant many serve ; Yea this is He Who makes them Bondslaves , whom God setteth free . He makes the worst men Gods who doth obey Their Pleasures , in an unapproved way , Or their imperious threatning so much feareth As think it from his Duty him deterreth . He makes the Devil , God ; who doth believe , By evil means good blessings to receive ; Which very many ( very often ) doe Whose words deny him , and defie him too . But some of us not only Guilty stand Of being breakers of this first Command , By serving Gods beside ; ( and more than ) him , Who from Death , Sin and Hell , did us redeem . But , either we neglect him also quite , Or , practise works to him so opposite , That into worse impieties we fall Than such , as yet , confess no God at all . For , by distrust , self-love , backsliding fear , Inconstancy , Presumption , fruitless Care , Impatience , Grudging , Frowardness or Pride , With other such ; our God we have deny'd More oft than once , and oftner fear we shall Into this error through our frailty fall . This Law , ( in some degree ) is also broke , Unless we , to our powers , due care have took To Shun each cause of breaking it ; The Chief Is Ignorance , ( the ground of misbelief . ) The next , is to be oft , and willingly Among Professors of Idolatry . The Third is Servile fear , which many ways The Heart unto Idolatry betrays . The last ( not least ) is when the sway we give To any Lust or Sin : For ( thus believe ) Such men , to gain the full of their delight , Will change their God , or leave Religion quite . Yea , they who hate at first so gross a Sin , Are by the Devil this way hooked in . This Meditation here had found an end But that there are , some others who offend Against this Law , in such a high Degree As that they must not quite unmention'd be . The truest God , confessed is by them Their only God : They serve and honour him In outward shew ; and if believe we may , What they themselves have pleased been to say , They love him too ; But either they mistake him , Or , by their own Invention , so new Make him , That though they speak him , by a gracious Name , The goodness of his nature , they defame By making him the Authour to have bin And cause original of every Sin : For in affirming that the fall of Man , And Sin , and Death from Gods meer will began , They say no less , although they praise him much For being good to them , and some few such . To say of these I am no whit afraid , As of old Idol-Makers , hath been said , Their God and they are like , for on their Will They ground their practices ( which must be still Supposed Just ) and some , perchance , of them Would be as cruel as they fancy him But that their Finite Natures cannot reach The Tyranies which they of him do preach . Let us of such impieties beware , What we conceive of God let us have care , And not ( with foolish Hereticks ) suppose By teaching common truths , and making shows Of holy piety to keep Gods eye From seeing when we wrong his Majesty . For , if he be displeas'd with such as make Good Creatures of his Godhead , to partake , How much more cause have they his wrath to fear , Who make him worse than his worst Creatures are ? And that prime Attribute have overthrown , By which , he chiefly to be God is known ? For , none are bound to serve him ( by this Law ) But such as he did out of bondage draw . For if he drew not all , then some there be Who , though they have a God , ours is not he , At least in such a manner as may give These Unbelievers courage to believe . Their God they say did some unhappy make To shew his power ; and for his Glorys sake ; My God is he , who pittied their Estates , Whom these do fancy hopeless Reprobates An Issue leaving out of that temptation , In which they lying to their Just damnation , And for the day of wrath no sinners made But such as do abuse the Grace they had . Their God is he , who forc'd mankind to fall And mine is he , who did Redeem us all . My sweet Redeemer , so my heart incline , That , I may always keep this Law of thine Amen . Commandment II. Thou shalt not make to thy selfe any Graven image &c. Superstition here is free If her Idols rais'd may be ; And with Zeal the same pursues If will worship she may use . When , she should obey or hear Sacrifice , she doth prepare . Such Religion to profess Is but irreligeousness : And for that presumptions vain , Many Israelites were slain . Command . II. Let every Hand and Heart refrain An Image of our God , to fain . THree thousand suffered by their brethrens hand , For offering violence to this Command ; And for committing of the same offence , The Sword hath been in action , ever since , ( Some where or other ) to the devastation Of many a powerful and renowned Nation . For to adore one Godhead , and no moe , Save him , to whom such Duty all men owe , Sufficeth not , unless our adoration Be such as may obtain his approbation . A forged worship meriteth a Rod As truly as a falsified God ; And such as do their own Religion frame , Serve but their Fancies ; though God bear the name . When humane wit , had fool'd away the notion Of Gods true Being , and of true Devotion , She calling to remembrance that each Creature Had in it some impression of his nature , Did blindly seek him , by that couz'ning light , And lost at last the knowledge of him quite . For , some did make him Figures like their own ; Some like to beasts , and some like forms unknown : Then by degrees the Devil screwed in To seem a God , and made the foulest Sin , Thought pious worship : For , though vile it be To picture him whose form we cannot see , And to ascribe to him imperfect features Who gave their bodies to the fairest Creatures ; And in whose Essence all perfections are , Yet in their wickedness they staid not there , By wicked Ceremonies they invited The world to think the Godhead was delighted With hellish actions for their living seed , In horrid wise to death did often bleed As acceptable offerings murtherous hands Were thought the Actors of his just Commands . And drunken Riots with lascivious Games Seem'd holy Duties and had holy Names . Nor did the Gentiles only thus misdo But many Jews , and many Christians too , The self same sins in Essence did commit , Though with new Vizzards they had covered it . For how much better are their Festivals Then Bacchanalian Riots , in whose Halls And Parlours are assembled ( in the stead Of those poor Souls , whom Charity should feed ) A Rout of Roaring Ruffins , who are there For nothing but to drink , or game and swear ? Except it be that they might soon undo Those fools which do abuse Gods bounty so ? Mens follies make them frequently to err , And , then , they Vice for Vertue do prefer . Their Superstition , makes them think amiss Of God ; And then their service of him , is Accordingly devis'd : they favour not That worship , which their wit hath not begot . They fear him Tyrant-like , and dream that he Is pleas'd with such like works as Tyrants be . For Carnal wisdom , cannot be content , Unless it may be suffered to invent , The Scoenes , which make her Stage Religion seem To Superarrogate in her esteem . Some , tho' they Scoff Idolatry , are hardly brought To serve a God of whom they have not thought . A circumscribed Form , to which , they may Address themselves , in that corporeal way , Which they affect and therefore up they rear Such Calves , as to their Fancies do appear : Yea sometime such Ideas they devise , As Piety would hate , and wit despise . Some others are too homely , and too bold Another way , and no man layeth hold Upon the Truth , who thinks to seize thereon , By searching for it , in himself alone . These Sins against this Precept justly blam'd As thereto accessary have been nam'd , In what we mused , on the Law before To which are added here , three other more , Vain Curiosity , blind Superstition , Prophaneness , and a changeable Condition . By these we are perverted , yea , by these Our God is formed as our fancies please ; Sometime ( like those of whom the Psalmist speaks ) The God which to it self mans Fancy makes ; Is either blind or careless . God , ( says one ) Beholdeth not those evils that are done , Tush , God regardeth not , another says , The folly or perverseness of our waies . Some others make unto themselves , a God So mild , as if he never us'd a Rod. And , some again do fancy him to be So cruel ; that their God appears to me To be that Saturn , now set up again , Who ( as the ancient heathen Poets fain ) Devour'd his Children ; And they fain him , for That which the God-like nature doth abhor . These Evils to prevent ; This Law divine The wandring humane Fancy doth confine All men in Sacred worshipings restraining As well , from Intellectual Objects faining , As from Corporeal forms : And him God threats Who due performance of this Law forgets . For God himself who knoweth best how far By representments , it convenient were , To shadow forth his nature , did devize As many and as few as might suffize . God knew , that if mans frailty might not see Some objects , whereupon might fixed be His weak Devotion , he would either make Vain Fictions , or Devotion , quite forsake . It therefore , pleas'd , his goodness to prepare Those objects for the Jews , which fitting were For them , such was the Serpent made of brass Till by Idolators abus'd it was . Such were their Temple and the Mercy Seat On which or towards which their eyes were set , In their Devotion ; that the wandring sence There being fixed , Faith might raise from thence The safer flight , and that Religion may A body have , wherein her Soul may stay , For , doubtless that Religion is untrue , Which hath no outward shape for men to view . As for the Jews : Our weakness , tendring too God , hath vouchsaft the like , for us to do . He hath advanc'd for us to look upon The Image of his Crucified Son , And limb'd him in his word with such dimensions As may , and should employ our Apprehensions , Without all vain additions of our own , Until , the Essence of it , may be known . Nor of our selves nor to our selves was made This Image ; But , the same , from God we had . He set it up , for us to fall before it ; To contemplate ; to honour ; to adore it . This Image he that faithfully shall view , Thereby , that long left Image may renew , Wherein Mankind was framed by God's hand , And in that likeness we shall ever stand . Still praised be that Image , which hath power To perfect such Imperfectness as our : And let all those who shall the same despise Be guilty of the worst Idolatries . Oh Christ so perfect my renewed will That I this holy precept may fulfil . Amen . Commandment III. Thou shalt not take y e name of y e Lord thy God in vaine &c III Curses , Blasphemies , and Oaths , Some , can vary as their Cloaths ; And , the Ruffin , now , begins To seek fashionable sins , No more fearing to blaspheme , Than to take a praiseful Theme ; But the Sin they count so small , Doth aloud for vengeance call : And , in Figure here we view What for this offence was due . Command . III. If thou wilt free be kept from blame ; Take not in vain , GOD's holy NAME . TO fright Blasphemers , we present them with An Emblem , of the Son of Shelomith : ( Who worthily , condemned was to dye , And , Stoned for his daring Blasphemy : ) For , 't is a Crime now ripened in excess , Though branded with a horrid Guiltiness : And of this Blott , ( who ever standeth free ) All these that follow deeply Guilty be . The Common Swearer : For , his impious tongue Not only to the Godhead , offers wrong ; But , ( to his power ) he sometime rends and tears Christ's holy Body , when he vainly swears . He that affecteth cursings groweth foul , By what this Law forbids , For ; on the Soul Which loves to Curse , these plagues are often brought Which to befall another , are besought . They are not in a mean degree to blame , Who shall prophane the great Almighty's name Through Levity , as when him name they shall , For trifling Causes ; or , no cause at all . He , that with Oaths , protests in matters vain ; Or , swearers for Truths , what he himself doth fain ; Or , tells for certain , an uncertain thing ; Or , vows to God , what he neglects to bring ; Or , maketh vows of what are not allowed : Things lawful ; or , things comely to be vowed : Even he who ere he be that shall transgress These ways , is tainted with a guiltiness . For , all these ways , Gods name is vainly used ; And such offences cannot be excused . To these we add our Scevites , who presume The power of Exorcisms to assume , And work by Conjurations of such kind , As may no lawful approbation find , And much from these , those Cheaters differ not , Who by confederacy the name have got , Of eunning men or women , and pretend , To know black Arts and Practice , to defend Our bodies , or to keep our goods from harms , By wicked Spels ; prophaning in the Charms , The names of God , or portions of his Writ ; For , in such Actions they dishonour it . Nor is he better who delights to make , Gods Truth a Theam for vain discourses sake , Or , thence extracteth Jests ; or , reads , or hears His Word , with heedless Eyes , with careless Ears , Or unprepared Heart . Nor , are they less Prophane ; who to conceal their wickedness , Or , meerly to be deemed men devout : Still at their Girdles bear , Gods Book about , Or , Study holy Scriptures to devise : A Cloak for Sins ; and proofs for Heresies , Or , truths pervert their falshoods to maintain , For , all of these assume Gods Name in vain . They of the like offence partakers are , Who ( as they term it ) make a Holy War For Christ ; And in his name do that pretend , Which is for some concealed wicked end . All they who pray for these , ( by name of such , Do fight Gods Battles ) do offend as much If they shall know it ; For , accursed is Such bold and bloody policy as this . He that plots Treason , or invents a Lie , The Cause of God or Truth to justifie ; Doth Stray as wide : For , to assist his Foes , These in Gods Name ; within his Ensign goes . Moreover they are guilty of this Crime Who in undecent manner or ill time Reprove , or threat , or comfort , or apply Gods promises , or Judgments , or deny , Their needful application in Gods Name , When time , and place for them require the same . For , of the Service , careless they appear , Pertaining unto him , whose name they bear . He breaks this Law who runs ere he besent , And in Gods name speaks what God never meant , He that from Holy Orders , goeth back , And by his Idleness becometh slack In Duties of his Calling ; or ( grown rich , By Church promotions ) thinks it overmuch , To execute that Function as he ought , To which with wealth and honour he is brought , Even he , what fair excuse so ere he make , Is justly said Gods name in vain to take . For , if he proveth guiltless , he receiv'd A dispensation , more than I believ'd . A Prayer without Faith ; a formal mention Of Gods due praise , without a due intention . Yea , vain or complemental Salutations , Without Sincerity are prophanations Against this Law , though many men have thought , That these are signs of persons better taught . Dissembling Fasts ; Thanksgivings mumbled out , With babling Repititions , ( and devout , ) In nought but feigned Term or length of Time , Do make men guilty , likewise , of this Crime ; Nay many Sermons of the vulgar strain , Are taking of the Name of God in vain . He that his Church or Chappel hath bedeckt , And yet Gods living Temples doth neglect . He , that a love to those , doth seem to carry , Yet , leaves defac'd his outward Sanctuary ; He that to bend his body is asham'd , When he shall here his blessed Saviour nam'd . He that without an inward Adoration , Bows outwardly , or , with an Affectation , To mimick Gestures ; or , performs the same , Unto the vocal sounding of the Name , Or either practiseth , or leaves undone , Such Duties in Contempt of any one : Even He ( though to be guiltless he pretends , ) Against this Third Commandement offends . But none this holy precept more have broke Than they , who on themselves Christs name have took ; Yet live like Infidels , excepting those , Who guild Hypocrisy with Godly shows , And under pious habits use to prey , On those , ( who being more sincere than they ) Are threatned , and suppose all well bestown , While these will take ; till nothing is their own . God keep his Lambs from these as from the worst Of all Dissembers , and the most accurst . The Faults condemn'd , seem nothing to have bin To this abhorred Hell begotten Sin , Are Drunken Jollities , vnbridled passion , A wicked Custom , Slight consideration , And evil Narture ( but much blame is cast , On Tutors and some Parents for the last , ) All these must therefore shunned be by him , That would not Swear , For-swear , Curse nor Blaspheme . This must be likewise heeded , that unless We still ( on all occasions ) do confess , The Name of God ; and Sanctifie it too , By such good Duties , as we ought to do : ( As in Relieving those who in his Name , ) Shall ask ( without abusing of the same , ) In swearing by it , when just cause requires , In suffering for it , ( though by Sword and Fires ) When God may be dishonour'd , by a base Forsaking of our Faith , or of our Place . Yea , if we be not ready to our might , In all Gods Attributes to do him right ; And honour him , in Deed , in Word , and Thought , In what we can , ( although not as we ought ) We faulter in our Duty ; and 't is plain , We do profess to bear Gods name in vain . " My Heart LORD GOD so settle in thy way " That I this Law , may never disobey . Amen . Commandment IV. IIII. Remember that thou keep holy y e Sabbath day &c. 'T is not in the Common Creed That he gather'd Sticks for need , Who for Sabbath breaking dy'd , For all wants were so supply'd , That it seems he did transgress , By Contempt , or Carelessness . He commits the same offence , ' Gainst this Precepts moral sence , Who the Christian Sabbaths wrongs , And a Plague to him belongs . Command . IV. To hallow , do not thou forget Those times , which God apart hath set . YOu that our Christian Sabbath do despise , Behold this Figure with regardful eyes : For , though on us this Precept doth not lay The Ceremonial service of the day ; Or , to a Jewish Sabbath , us confine ; It n'retheless , a Duty doth enjoin , Which no man living can be freed from Till to the general Judgment Christ shall come . For , Nature urges , that convenient Rest , Should be allowed both to Man and Beast , Lest their corporeal substance should miscarry Before the time ; And 't is as necessary , The Soul should have some leisure to attend His will , on whom her being doth depend . Freemen , may rest their bodies when they please , And Wise men , know how for to take their ease : But , lab'ring Beasts , and Men who are depraved , Or , they whom wants , or Tyrants have enslaved , Had restless lived , till their life time ended , Unless this holy Law had them befriended ; And they who to the flesh most favour show For Soul affairs , but little time allow . This God at first foresaw , and for that cause ( Though in Mans heart he then ingrav'd his Laws Essential , and long oblig'd him not To such additions as time since begot ) Yet when he found that error and transgression Had wholly rased out the first impression ; To stop Corruptions Growth , he afterward To Rites , to times , and places had regard . All men at first had liberty to take What daies they pleased holydaies to make ; Or , for convenient Rest . Nor did from all This freedom cease when God the Jews did call To keep their Sabbaths ; For , to one set day No Nation were oblig'd save only they ; Nor , had the Gentiles any other ties Save to observe it in a moral wise , So far as might preserve unto the Creature The freedom and well being of its nature . A Law concerning Rest and holy Dues Confin'd indeed the people of the Jews To one set day , even one set day in seven , To them were Ceremonies also given Concerning it ; which no man might transgress ( Save in great need ) without much guiltiness That Law , which nature simply had received At our first being was to them derived With such like Accidents as might be best To keep them firm , and bring in all the rest In Gods appointed season to embrace The Law of Nature in the Law of Grace . Their Customs and their Ceremonial day With Christ was buried and so swept away . When he arose from death , that to renew And celebrate the Sabbath of the Jew , We are no more obliged than to rear Their Temple , and to build their Altar here , And yet , lest man's corruption and the lack Of Accidents , might bring the Substance back . Even to the first neglect , Christ dist instate His Church with power to change or abrogate The Circumstances of this Law , so far As needful seem'd , Provided that it were Essentially preserved , and in this She hath performed what required is . For , though the time be changed , it retains The same proportion ; It for use remains The same in Essence , and that being so The same obedience , is now due thereto , And , to what Circumstance the Church thinks fit , To help continue the right use of it . Now therefore , though that every day be free For works which truly necessary be ; And , though those Worshipers which are sincere May worship any day or any where , Yet none can without guiltiness despise The Places , Rites or Times , of Sacrifice Appointed by the Church , while they accord What may be authorized by the word . This Law is therefore broke when we despise The Fastings , Feastings , or Solemnities The Church appoints , or if we shall deny Such daies to honour and to sanctify By rest from Common Labours , whensoere We may without much damage , them forbear ; Or , if we vilify those Christian Rites Whereto the publick discipline invites , Or , them perform not on their proper day As often as conveniently we may . This Law is broke , if to our lab'ring Beast , Or , Servant , we allow not so much rest As nature shall require , and may conduce To keep them able for our lawful use . Or , if we shun not all occasious too Whereby we may against this Law misdo . And they are these ; A hardned heart , a mind Prophane , and unto Greediness inclin'd , A false belief ; false liberty ; false knowledge , Frequenting of the Company and Colledge . Off false believers ; ( From whom self will pride And Superstition no man can divide . Let no man then that lawless freedom take Which may occasion strife or scandals make , By needless Labours , nor mis-censure them Who take some liberties which they condemn , In things indifferent , and shall not move In such gainst which their Governors approve ; And in their manners let them peaceful be , Though they in their opinions disagree . Let not those times the Church hath set apart To rest the body , to instruct the heart , And to preserve a due Commemoration Of every blessed means of our Salvation , Be judged vain , or , that they do not draw Authority sufficient for this Law : But let them know for Truth , though not for news , That all the Feasts and Sabbaths of the Jews Were but the Types of ours ; and that if they Shall for the Shades the Substance cast away , They are unwise ; and guilty of offence Against this Precept in the moral sense . Let those who for the bodies ease and pleasure Part of this time allow ; preserve the measure That 's justly due , and in due manner too Do that which is allowable to do : Not for the Soul 's well being caring less Than to prevent the Bodies weariness . Let them who of the Soul most heedful seem , Remember , still , the Body to esteem . A Portion of that Manhood , for whose sake Our Sabbath-maker did all Sabbaths make , And give it so much liberty as may Make pleasant all the Duties of the day . And since no private Spirit can impose A Rule for all ; let all be rul'd by those Who by a publick Spirit come to learn What may a publick body best concern . Or , if among us any one shall deem There is a truer way made known to him ; So let him walk that he himself approve To be in all his waies a Child of Love. For sure I am , that if the common peace He keep until humility increase , True knowledge in him he , then plain will see Who best expounds this Law the Church or He. Come Holy Ghost , so sanctify my heart , That from this Law I never may depart . Amen . Commandment V. Honor thy Father and thy Mother , &c He that sought his Fathers death Sonless , yielded up his breath . He , that would his Prince have slain , Had his pardon sent in vain , For although the King for gave , Justice urg'd her due to have , That Rebellious Children may Learn this precept to obey , And the Subject stand in awe How he Sins against this Law. Command . V. On them all honours due , bestow , Who , by the Name of Parents go . WHat of Rebelling Subjects will become , And graceless Children view in Absolom : For , whose Offence the Earth did ( as it were ) Refusal make his Bodies weight to bear , And Heav'n rejects it ; that they might present Him hanging for a dreadful Monument Through Ages all , to warn and keep in awe The sleighters and Infringers of this Law. This foremost Precept of the second Table Unto the first , in this is answerable They both enjoyn and Honour where 't is due , Their differences are these which do ensue : Here blessing follows ; there it went before One Parent , that concern'd ; This , many more . He that shall break this Precept , maketh snares Wherein to hang himself at unawares , And overthrows ( as much as in him lies ) All Common-weals , and all Societes ; Yet , some affect it not , but loudly cry For times which may erect a Parity . And , some who dream they keep it , are to blame By being ignorant how far the Name Of Parent reacheth , which we briefly show , That they might better do and better know . We from the Parents of our bodies have A natural being ; and they justly crave To be obey'd in all things , but in those Which either may Superior powers oppose , Or , to some Being hurries us , that shall Be worse , than to have never been at all . Beside these Parents , we to many moe A Duty , by this Obligation owe. The Fathers of our Country , by this Law First claimeth of us , Honour , Love and Awe , And from himself , the same Prerogatives To his Inferiour Magistrates derives . There is a Fatherhood in those that be Our Elders , and our Betters in degree . Our Masters also , may have warrant here , To challenge from us , Reverence and Fear . And Husbands also may infer from hence Good proof of right to their preheminence ; And if a witness wanted thereunto , My Wife I know would say the same I do . And that , I give God thanks for as a blessing , That is not founnd in every mans possessing . Our Ghostly Fathers by whose careful pain We are anew begot , and born again ; ( Ev'n to a life more excellent than that , Whereto our fleshly Fathers us begat ) Have Honours due , no less than those to whom , We Sons and Daughters in the Flesh become , Yea and our Fathers in some sort they be , Who , from Thrall , Wants , and Death , hath set us free . All these from us an Honour may command , According to the place wherein they stand ; To some of them we do not owe alone , That Honour which may outwardly be done , Or , that unfain'd respect , which doth accord , With bare Obedience . But we must afford All helps , whereby we also , may prevent The Want , the Shame , the Harm , or Discontent , Which may befall them , we should meekly bear Their words and blows , ev'n when unjust they are ; We should not pleasure take in any thought , With which dishonour may to them be brought . Though they should curse us , we must always bless , Defend their lives and hide their nakedness , We should not hear them wrong'd : nor should our tongue To all men tell it , when they do us wrong , But pray and strive , that blameless we might prove , How crookedly so ' ere they please to move . For he alone who thus obey them shall , Hath an Obedience Evangelical . Among those many who these Laws do break , And pass unheeded any breach to make , On this Command , who greatly are to blame , In being disobedient to the same , The first and worst are that ill tutor'd sect , Who Magistrates , and Rulers contradict , They who at all Superiors madly strike , And fain would have us honour'd all alike , Are deeply guilty , and this just command , They frustrate make ; if ought I understand . The other sort , doth Government forsake , Of whom God pleas'd this gracious Law to make , Do sometime also grievously transgress , Against this Law when they by wilfulness , By Pride , or Cruelty , provoke or stir , Those to rebel , who Sons or Vassals are . For , he that wilfully gives cause of ill , Shares equal Guilt with him that acts it still . By sinning he brings others to be naught , Then suffers by them , for the Sin he taught . For they who Tyrannous Commands do lay , Shall find their Servants treacherously obey . The Crimes forbidden here as having bin , Occasions of a more immediate Sin , Against this Law ; are Envy , Self-conceit , Licentiousness ( which thinketh over streight , All tyes of Government . ) Forgetfulness , Of those Commodities which we possess . By them who Rule us likewise we may add , Ingratitude ; Ill habits sooner had , Than lost ) Gross Rudeness ; and the Vice , Whence most Sins flow insatiate Avarice . I now remember that I named not Some other Parents overmuch forgot . We have a Heavenly Father unto whom , His Children should more dutiful become Than yet they be . But , what to him we owe , The former Table of these Laws doth show . We have a Mother too , which ( more our Sin ) Hath in this Age 'ore much neglected bin , Nay worse ; ( I would it were untruly said ) She hath dishonour'd been and disobey'd , More like a cruel Step-dame than like her , Within whose blessed Womb conceiv'd we were . I mean the holy Church the Spouze of Christ , For we her wholsome Discipline resist , Her comely Ceremonies we despise , Her Government we often Scandalize , We slight her Blessings , we her Counsels hate , We of her Ornaments and her Estate Dispoil her ; her best Children we betray , And when she would embrace we run away , In all which things we disobey this Law , And vengeance both on Soul and Body draw : God grant this wickedness we may repent , Before he change into a Punishment , The Blessing promis'd : For he from the Land , Will root the breakers of this great Command , That men may know the danger to contemn , A good Condition ; when 't is off'red them . Some are already gone : And though few see , Or will confess ) that they afflicted be For this offence : yea though few think that they , Were rooted out , because they went away By their own choice : Yet God to them hath shew'd Their error by some Plagues which have ensu'd ; Since their departure , that they might perceive , How frowardly they did their Mother leave ; And that the truly penitent might there , Enjoy the Blessing they did forfeit here . God open so their eyes in their distress , And so instruct them in that Wilderness , To which they run , that ( though like Sarahs Maid , They fly from her with whom they should have staid They may divert our heavy Condemnation , And leave a blessing to this Generation . Lord Grant thou this , and that those may not shame Their Brethren who departed without blame , To civilize the Lands which know not yet , Their blindness , nor what Sins they do commit . And gracious God , preserve a Heart in me , Which to this Law may still obedient be . Amen . Commandment VI. VI Thou shalt do no murder . &c. Murther leaves a bloody stain , Which unpurged will remain , Till a Flood of Tears it cost , Or till blood for blood be lost . Nor old age , nor length of time Cleared Joab of this Crime , Nor his Power , though great it was , Nor a priviledged place Could his head from vengeance hide , But for this Offence he dy'd . Command . VI. Thy Makers Image do not spill , Where God commands thee not to kill . NOne had been safe , unless the bloody sin Forbidden here , had both restrained been , And still pursued ( mischiefs to prevent ) With open and with secret punishment . Therefore Almighty God ( who hath decreed That he who sheds his Brothers blood , shall bleed ) Attends it still with vengeance : and the Sword ( According to the dreadful sounding word Pronounc'd long since to David ) shall not leave Him or his house who doth of life bereave A guiltless man ; till for that crying guilt , Some Blood of his untimely shall be spilt . For though like him , whom here we represent Men , may by greatness , keep off punishment , Till they are old , it will their heels pursue , And give them at the last their bloody due ; For I have rarely heeded one in ten , Of those rash-headed , and fool-hardy men , Who ( as they fondly term it ) fairly kill ; But , they or theirs , have either suffered still , Deaths violent ; or died in their prime , Or , Issueless ; for this Blood-spilling Crime . Yea , and for ought is known , the self-same Doom On those who yet escape , e're long may come . And if the fair done Murthers have these Fates , How shall he scape that foul ones perpetrates ! Of this offence , let all men conscience make For their own weal , or for their Childrens sake Whom they beget : For in the same degree Wherein they murther , it repaid shall be , On their own persons , or on some of those By whom her due , just vengeance may not lose . If thou hast took away the life of Fame From any , thou shall suffer in thy Name . If by unchristian Anger , or by hate , Thou shalt occasion what may ruinate Anothers Being ; in thy Generation , Or in thy self , expect retaliation ; Unless Repentance in a Fount of tears Shall cleanse that stain , which nothing else out-wears . Oppression makes the Poor his life to leese Like Poysons which destroy men by degrees , With lingring Deaths , and in an age or two That Sin doth all those Families undo Which were enrich'd thereby , yea I have seen Their Sons who by oppression rais'd have been , To fall from large Estates by some and some Till they to such base poverty have come , As brought them to the Gallows : Therefore they Act murthers who take means of life away By an oppressing hand ; and murther not The poor alone ; but those whom they begot . He is in Heart a Murtherer who prays For others deaths ; and in effect he slays , Who can , but will not save , if to afford Deliverance , with Justice will accord . Nor from this error are they counted free , Who , wittingly shall an occasion be To other men , of that which may intice By word , or by example to this vice . Such are those Hacksters , ( who themselves do name Men of the Sword ) ( but sure enough I am ) ( Men of a base Condition ) these are they Who flesh our blooming Gentry in the way Of brutish Quarrels , and their minds possess With Rage instead of sober Manliness . Just of their stamp , are they who shall provoke Their Friends unto Revenge for what was spoke In drink or passion ; making them believe They were disgraced if they should forgive ; And so the Fools are urged to pursue Those wicked Counsels which at last they rue . Another way as faulty are those men Who publish by the tongue or by the pen Those Heresies and Fancies which undo ( Here and for aye ) themselves and others too . These last , are out of question deeply dy'd In this red Crime , though some of them can hide Their Guilt with holy shews . The former sort Though well esteem'd , and such as none report Or take for Murtherers , would soon be cast If an impartial verdict should be past . There is a murthering poyson in some words And Flatteries , are otherwhile the Swords That Kill their hearers , though when they infect , They do not murther by a line direct . Moreover , other while unkindness may Strike dead a Gentle heart ; and such as play False play in Love , ( as when they do allure And causlesly reject ) may soon procure Untimely Death . But such like youthful Crimes Though jested at , bring vengeance many times . He that by lawful means doth blood require For blood unjustly Spilt , with more desire To satisfy his rage , than to prefer True Justice , is a parcel Murtherer . And so are such , who practise to encrease A publick Concord , or mens private peace . In some degree of Murtherers are they Who to their might remove not far away All such occasionings as may begin Or help to perfect this inhumane Sin And therefore by this Law we are forbidden , To keep an Enmity in secret hidden , That may provoke Revenge : which to prevent A Duty doth precede the Sacrament Of Christian Unity ; and they commit Against this Law who fail to practise it . Pride , Wrath , Scorn , Avarice , Wine in excess , Wrongs , Jeers , Neglects , and Jests with bitterness , With other such ( which either are or draw Occasions on , to violate this Law ) Are breaches of it . And though few suspect , ( Because these are but breaches indirect ) That such enormities unpunish't be ( For that , but seldom they inflicted see Immediate stripes ) yet , questionless , by such Those troubles are brought on , that shorten much The life of Man ; and thereby finish'd are His numbred years before he is aware . The Souldier ( whom I had almost forgot ) Is very peaceful , if he murther not . To kill is his profession ; yet I say , He murthers if his Prisner he shall slay , The battel being past . The Voluntary Whom , an ambitious Avarice doth carry , To hostle Actions , when his lawful Prince , Nor sends nor calls him , nor the just defence Of his own person , or his Countries good Engageth to become a man of blood . Ev'n he may be suspected , not to tread A path so noble , and so warranted As he conceives : yet neither praise I them , Nor do I peremptorily condemn Their practice , but refer what I have said , In their own conscience to be rightly weigh'd . " Lord give us eyes our Secret sins to see , " While time and place to us vouchsafed be , " That we may leave them , and that Love embrace " Which will conceal them with her vail of grace . " For , if with Joab we grow old in Sin , " Which hath not really repented bin , " Till thou growst angry ; vengeance will not tarry " But smites us dead , ev'n in thy Sanctuary . " Thrice holy Trinity , my Heart possess , " And , I , this Precept , never shall transgress . Amen . Commandment VII . VII : Thou shalt not Commit advlterie . &c. When this Figure thou hast ey'd , Think how these two Wantons dy'd , And what horror was therein , When Death took them in their Sin , Hurrying them from their delight , To an Everlasting Night . Mind it well , and mind it so , That thou still may'st careful grow , From those evils to be free , Which this Law forbids to thee . Comman . VII . Commit thou no such Act unclean , As here Adultery , doth mean. BEhold this Figure , you , who take delight , To give the Reins to wanton Appetite : And , say within your selves ; why may not we , Struck suddenly , in our Polutions be , As well as these and others , who have bin , Attatched in the very Act of Sin ? Consider this and tremble : For no year Wheels round , but , we of one or other hear Thus taken ; That , you might forsake the snare , And others be forwarn'd of coming there . Permit Adultery , and none shall breed Without a Mungrel and a mingled seed , Allow such mixtures and none then shall know , On whom the dues of birth-right to bestow , Save a blest Faction . And what havoke then Will Trecherys and Murthers make of Men ? And , who will careful be to foster that Which no man owns , and Brutish Lust begat ? So needful was this Law , that here to dwell Without it , were to live the life of Hell With Fiends incarnate , whose licentiousness Their own and others mischiefs would increase . Be therefore thankful for it ; and declare Your thankfulness with diligence and care In keeping of it ; that you may have rest From sorrows here , and be hereafter blest , And lest your Duties from you , may be hidden , Observe that by this Precept is forbidden , Not only such uncleanness as polluteth A Married Bed ; but , that it those reputeth , Offenders too , who simply fornicate Or in a married or unmarried state , Abuse their Members in the wanton fact Of any lawless or uncomely Act ; Which appertaineth to that fleshly sin , Which by this Law hath interdicted bin . No breach of Wedlock was perchance in that Bold Zimri did with Cosbi perpetrate , Yet vengeance followed on it , to affright All those who in Laciviousness delight , Young Onan climed not his neighbours bed , Yet God for his transgression struck him dead . And let the shameless wantons of our days , Who boast ( as of a deed that merits praise ) How many untouch't Virgins they deflowr'd Lest by a sudden Plague they be devour'd , For less than that of which these villanies boast , Full Three and Twenty Thousand lives did cost In one days round ; and it may forfeit them Their freedom in the new Jerusalem . To shun gross wantonness will not suffice , Unless the wandrings of Adulterous eyes , Lascivious touches intermixt among The temptings of a lust provoking tongue , Bewiching smiles , And Gestures , which intice , Both mind and body to embrace this Vice , With such like Cycean Charmings , be supprest , Which help transform a Man into a Beast , Nay if the secret longings of the Heart , We labour not ( with all our strength ) to thwart , When they incline to Lust ; we thereby shall Be guilty , though in Act we never fall . If therefore blameless we would still abide , We must some precious Antidotes provide Against this Poyson . We must careful prove Far from us , all occasions to remove , Which may allure : And they are such as these Vain Songs and Poems , which are made to please A wanton ear , and movingly express The longings and the acts of Wantonness . Obscoen Discourse ; Lascivious Company ; The giving of an opportunity , ( That may be shunn'd ) to such as we do know Are not so bashful as to let it go . These are occasions , of especial note , ●s Bounds to this Offence , not so remote , But , that they bring it easily to pass , Yea , otherwhile before it purpos'd was , And , for that Cause , this Law commands doth lay That we remove those from us far away . Nor are those all the temptings unto lust , But there be others which avoid we must As much as these ; Fantastical attires , And wanton dressings kindle lustful Fires . This makes them so esteemed , and so sought , That otherwhile they are full dearly bought , That some to play the Harlot have been fain Those various costly Dressings to maintain . Oft visitings , and spending of the day , With such as trifle half their time away ●n Complements , ( and intercourse between Each other , but to see or to be seen . ) Ev'n these things blow the Flame , and many a one By such impertinencies , is undone . The faring delicately in excess , The common sin of beastly Drunkenness , Are here Attatch'd , Arraign'd and Sentenced , For often causing an Adulterous Bed. Constrained marriages made up by Friends , For Honour , Wealth , or such improper ends , Both partys very frequently undo , And cause Adulterys and Murthers too . Where Youth and Age of too unequal years Together match ; both Jealousies and Fears Are Guests , and rarely have such weddings bin Without occasions of this filthy sin . If , therefore of this Crime we would be clear , Let us endeavour alwaies to forbear All such as these , as well as to eschew A gross Adultery , and so pursue Each means which may be helpful to acquire A blameless practice and a clean desire . That we may Soul and Body beautify With every flower of Spotless Chastity . For , carnal whoredom was long since a gin By Satan forged for the bringing in Of Ghostly Fornications most impure , And frequent Testimonies may assure That they who love strange flesh as many do , Will change their God with small perswasions too . LORD from these vanities direct our eyes Which may at unawares the Heart surprize ; The Law within our members we do find Doth cross the Law that 's grafted in our mind . That which we hate we are intic'd unto , And what we love we often fail to do . Our Will thou hast renew'd but in the Deed We are not , yet , enabled to proceed With such a Constancy as we desire , Nor with such pureness as thou dost require . Make perfect what in me thou hast begun , Compel me , that I after thee may run . ●et not the world adulterate in me The Love which I have promis'd unto thee ; Although my waies be crooked in thy sight , ● reserve thou my affection still upright . And let thy Love so keep my heart in awe That I may still be blameless of this Law. Amen . Commandment VIII . VIII Thou shalt not steale , &c. If a Souldier might not thieve , No man may , as I believe ; If such measure Achan find For a prey in war purloin'd , What , on these will Justice bring Who rob Country , Church and King ? With his Children Achan fell ( Yet I hope their Souls are well . ) But if these do not amend Greater Plagues for them attend . Comma . VIII . What want so e're oppress thee may Steal not , anothers goods away . LIght fingred Achan here doth figur'd stand , Who for infringing of this Eight Command , Brought both on him and his a fearful Doom To make it known to every age to come , That Sacriledge and pilfring may undo Both such as use it , and their Children too . So strongly are these Precepts knit together , And have so much dependance each on other , That none of their whole number can be mist , Nor virtue perfect , without all subsist . A Families necessities , who can Support aright or honour God or Man With due respects ? or fully exercise The praiseful work of Christian Charities , Unless this righteous Law had been ordain'd Whereby each man his own might have retain'd ? The painful hand had wrought but for a prey For slothful Drones to spoil and steal away , Did not this Law prevent ; and they should then Possess most wealth who were the strongest men . None would have labour'd but for present need , And to procure and keep , whereon to feed , Would so imploy us , that we should not find A leisure hour to rectify the mind , By knowledge , or by seeking that which is The Essence of our Being , and our bliss , For , as base Poverty hath dwelling there Where lawless living and disorders are ; So , where that Poverty , doth much abound , A brutish Ignorance is alwayes found , For , though wealth makes none wiser , yet , it might Yield means of knowledge , being us'd aright ; And equal are the sins , to rob the rich As spoil the poor although they seem not such , Since that which makes the difference in the facts Is in the sufferer , not in him that Acts. Let no man therefore , lay his hand on what Is portion of another mans Estate , With purpose to defraud him ; lest it bring A Gangrene , and become a cursed thing , Which will devour what he before possessed , And stop him in the way of being blessed . Rob none ; But of all other shun the Theft By which poor widdows are of that bereft Which is their lively hood , or that whereby The Fatherless compelled are to cry To God for vengeance . And be wary too Thou do not willfully thy self undo By execrable things , lest Achan's Crime Bring on thee Achan's death , in evil time . For , though Deaths due for every sin that 's done Some louder cry , and bring it sooner on . There are a thousand Thieveries by which The worldling is advanced to be rich With little sence of sin , although they be Infringements of this Law in high degree . The Trades-man stealeth by a frequent lying In bargaining , in selling and in buying ; And most he suffers by this fair-tongu'd thief , Who entertains of him the best belief . Some Courtiers have their pilfrings , which they call Their Fees or Vails , whereby when dues are small , And , their expences large , they soon grow great , And keep their Master also in their Debt , Whose Royal name is used to conceal Their frequent robbing of the Common weal. Some steal into Estates by their unjust Abuse , by whom they have been put in trust ; And men so frequently this way misdo , That such are counted honest Livers too . Some rob the Church ( and this too is no news ) By keeping from her Labourers their dues , And by assuming as their own Estate What Piety to God did consecrate Some Church-men rob the Layty by taking That Calling on them without conscience making Of those performances , for which God gave The portions and the places which they have ; And doubtless , for the sins of such as they The Churches heritage is took away . Some by Authority or quirks of Law Raise projects from their neighbours to withdraw Their livelihood : Some others do no less By outward shews of strict Religiousness , Or cloked honesty , the latter sort Make means to Cousin by their good Report . Some wantons , ( guilty of no petty wrong ) Steal Hearts , which unto others do belong . Some steal both Goods and Persons . Thus do they Who take the heirs of mens Estates away Against their Wills ; And when this theft's begun , Most commonly both parties are undone . Some steal the wit of others . And an Ass To be a witty Creature , thus may pass . Some steal rewards and praises which are due To other men ; and these are not a few . Some steal preferments , I could tell you how , But will not , lest indanger'd I may grow By babling of it ; or lest other some May by that means to wealth and greatness come , Who do as yet retain their honesties , Because they have not learn'd such tricks to rise . Some steal mens good opinions , by concealing Their own enormities , and by revealing Their Neighbours errors , with such shews of Ruth As if they were all Charity and Truth . Shun all such thievish Paths , for he that follows These Tracts , may peradventure scape the Gallows , But shall not scape unpunish'd , though God may Defer his wages till a longer day . As those are not excus'd ; So shall not he From our Infringement of this Law be free , Who nourisheth a cause of this offence By Idleness , by Prodigal expence , By vicious gaming , by regardlesness To husband wisely , what he doth possess By keeping to himself what was bestown As well for others uses , as his own ; Or by withdrawing ( through deceit or might ) The hirelings wages or the poor-mans right Whereby those may be driven to supply By stealth or fraud , their griping poverty . More such occasions , he himself may find Who doth examine with a single mind His private practices , and how the end Of one thing on another doth depend . Oh Lord vouchsafe me grace to be content " With whatsoever thou to me hast lent " As long as life on me shall be bestown , " Let me be fed and cloathed with my own , " And , not with that which being none of mine " May make my Neighbour want , or else repine ; " If by a wilful or unwitting wrong " I have detained ought which doth belong " Unto my Neighbour , Give me means and will " By restitution for my doing ill " To make amends , or else do thou repay them " The dues which I unwillingly delay them . " Forgive thou also my unrighteousness , " That it corrupt not that which I possess , " Or marr my thrift ; and for the time to come " So wary keep me of departing from " This Law , that I may still in heart and hand " Continue faithful unto this Command Amen . Commandment IX . IX Thou shalt not beare false witnes against , &c. Who can hope for Justice where Magistrates false witness bear ? Or , secure in falshood be , When great Princes scape not free ? She who Naboth's death contriv'd Was in Wrath of life depriv'd , And her flesh by Dogs was torn Though a Queen and Princely born , That all others heed may take How this Precept they do break . Command . IX . In any case no witness bear , Of things which false or doubtful are . VVEre this Edict omitted , who could say , He should enjoy his life or Goods a day ? If nigh his habitation chance to dwell , Such Neighbours as the wicked Jesabel , ( And her curst Instruments : ) whose downfall , here Is typifi'd , that such may stand in fear . Where could we be secure from perjur'd men , Unless God sent forth Vengeance now and then , To find out those who secretly contrive How , others of their portions to deprive , Since , very often this offence hath none Who can behold it , but , that God alone ? Or , by what means might they be kept in awe , Whose greatness makes them careless of this Law ? How safe seem'd Jesabel , by being great ? And , yet , how boldly did the Prophet threat Succeeding Vengeance ? and though she were high , How low upon a suddain did she lie ? That high and low , might view her cursed plight And more in truthful honesty delight . Most know , that , of this Law they breakers are Who bear false witness , at the Judgment Bar , And very many are not without fear , In such ungodly actions to appear , But , few do seem , aright to understand , Their other breaches of this Ninth Command , To lie , accounted is a fault so small , That many feel no sence thereof at all , But , make a Play-game of it : yea and some Such Patrons of that Evil are become , That they allow , and justifie the same As Praises rather meriting than blame . But , this will prove though held a petty sin The Serpents head , that brings his body in , And , an officious lying , may in time Ingage us to commit a greater Crime ; However he that an untruth shall speak , Or Truth ( if to deceive ) this Law doth break . To praise is commendable ; yet thereby When we of others better testify Than they deserve ; true vertue we deride , And sinners in their sins are justifi'd , Unless it be ( by such a modest praise , As flows from hope , our Friend affects the ways Which yet he walks not ) that our praise may be A Gale to ripen what we blooming see : For this is neither purpos'd to deceive The Hearer ; nor advantages to weave For him that speaks it : but a wise intention To cherish budding Virtue by prevention ; But , he that flatters doth pollute his mouth , And is a falsifier of the Truth . The Parasite , who shames not to uphold , Whatever by his Patron shall be told , Or , seeks by Jeering to discountenance , A simple Truth ; and falshood to advance , Against this holy Precept so offends That punishment his Guiltiness attends , Yea , they who get access to great mens Tables , By coming furnished with News and Fables , Are thereby often guilty of this sin , Which by this Law hath countermanded bin . When we dare venture to reiterate , Those Rumors which the common people prate , On meer surmises ; we are accessary To many slanders : We make Truth miscarry , And bear false witness to the wrong of many , When we suspect not that we wronged any , Nor can we satisfie for these offences , Which then may follow , if our Sov'raign Princes , Or there affairs of state , shall wrong sustain By such false tales as we receive or fain . When out of levity Reports we make Of others frailties ; or occasions take To mention Jestingly , what may disgrace The person either absent or in place , Without just motives ( or content shall grow ) To hide what Love and Equity should show We in the main , or in some circumstance False Testimonies ; may thereby advance . But , he that uttereth slanders in despight , Or justifies the thing that is not right , Or judgeth rashly in anothers Cause , Or any needful witnesses withdraws , Or ( by concealing what for truth he knows ) Betrayeth Innocency to her Foes ; Or , hears another injur'd in his Fame , With Silence when he may prevent the same ; Or unto any one occasion gives Whereby , he falshood , for the truth believes : Ev'n every such a one false witness bears , What Cloak of Honesty so'ere he wears ? Nor are they guiltless , who avoid not that , Whereby occasions rise to perpetrate Against this Law. As Bribery , Respect Or disrespect of persons , which infect The soundest minds , and bring them by degrees , Their innocent Integrity to leese . Yea , he who so loves Bribes , though he were wise , They will make deaf his ears , hood-wink his eyes ; And so corrupt his heart , that he shall know No Truth , except some profit thence do flow ; Nor , any falshood fear to entertain , Whereby he may assured be of gain . And , lest by some those men be judged free From this offence ( if any such there be ) Who by False Miracles , false Revelations , False Dreams , false Visions , false Interpretations Of Holy Scripture ; or by such like patchings Of Carnal wisdom , and of Sathan's hatchings Affirm that thing for truth which is a Lye ; Know that these Juglers in degree as high As he that 's worst ; prove guilty of this Sin Which by this Precept , hath forbidden bin . For though our Doctrines be not so unsound , But that some truths among them shall be found , Though cloath'd in Lamb-skins we do seem to go , Though for a blameless life we famous grow ; Though in our formal Zeal surpass we shall The Pharisees , and ev'ry Priest of Baal ; Tho' oft we fast ; tho' loud we pray and long ; Tho' we seem'd wrong'd , and patient of the wrong ; Tho' we affect the Crown of Martyrdome , And dye as if we death had overcome . Yea , tho' we seem as Angels , who from heav'n Had Power , and Knowledge , and Commissions giv'n ; Yet , if our Zeal , our outward Piety , Our Knowledge , our affected Constancy , Our suffirings , and the Truths which we have said Were that the God of Truth might be betray'd And falshood favour'd ; We offenders are , Against this precept , we false witness bear . And all our Godly shews , are fruits of evil Delusions and Impostures of the Devil . Lord sanctify my heart , and keep my tongue , That , it may neither do my neighbour wrong , Nor prattle those Untruths , which may oppose The Verities , thy Spirit shall disclose ; But , grant that I who see how these offend May find out mine own Errors and amend ; Yea , Lord so teach me and be so my Guide , That , faithful to this Law I may abide . Amen . Commandment X. X Thou shalt not couet thy Neighbours House , &c. When in us this Vice begins , Crowns we pawn for crooked pins . And by coveting of more Forfeit what we had before . Blockish Ahab therefore mind Who by fooling in this kind Life and Kingdom ( to his cost ) For a Kitchen-garden lost ; And his fall is on Record That his fault might be abhorr'd . Command . X. Anothers right desire not , But be contented with thy Lot. THou who to covet deem'st it no great crime , Consider well , what wickedness in time Arises thence , what danger and what shame Unless thou timely shall repent the same This folly , and the sequel of it view In Ahab , and his guiltiness eschew By heeding of this Law , whereon depend All Duties , which the former Laws intend , And which to us a Duty hath exprest More hard to be observ'd than all the rest . A power we have receiv'd to bend the knee , To take , to give , to speak , to hear , to see , And execute those Actions which may give Most lookers on , occasions to believe That all God's other Laws we do fulfil , In some degree according to his Will. When we are false at heart , and keep not on With such uprightness , as we should have done ; And were this Law left out , some persons might Perswade themselves that they were most upright . But by this Precept we are taught to see How foul the insides of our Vessels be . This findeth out , and smiteth every sin Ev'n on the head , and where the Roots begin , By checking of that Lust which unexprest In outward acts lies lurking in the breast : For 't is the Cursed Root , whence every thing Which may be termed Evil , first doth spring ; And if it be subdued e're fulfill'd Within his Egg a Cocatrice is kill'd . This Law in Soveraignty assumeth more Than all the Precepts mentioned before ; For it injoins to keep within command My lustful heart , which is not in my hand ; And , whose desires , will offer , come and go In spight of all that I can think or do . Within my flesh and blood a Law still dwells Which naturally against this Law Rebels , And so rebels , that though my hands were clear , My heart would foul and vitious oft appear Unless a purging Medicine she acquires To purify her thoughts and her desires . Yea , though Man could not , and God would not see The secret wickedness that is in me , This Law , would never let me quiet bide Till of my Guilt I should be purifi'd ; For every hidden lust it open lays , And still so shows me mine own wicked ways , That when by others I am righteous thought , It frights my Soul , and tells me I am naught . At first , into dispair it almost threw me , But God's good Spirit pleased was to shew me , That , what my power extended not unto His Grace would so enable me to do , As that it should suffice if I assaid To join my good endeavours to his aid . Then I began to see , this Law did wound , Not to destroy , but , that I might be sound , And that it is a needful Probe whereby We may aright the curing Salve apply . It shew'd me mine own frailty , that it might Unto another make me take my flight . And by instructing me to know my sin Hath taught me where amendment should begin For when the Heart hath learned to obey , The Members will the sooner find the way . Though our Desires , from evil are not free , To us their Guilt imputed shall not be If we resist them : And although they wound , We shall at last with Victory be crown'd . Keep well this Law , and all the Precepts here A Thousand times more pleasing will appear . Guard well thy heart , and then this Precept will Be found a Precept easie to fulfil . Break this , and thou hast broken down the sluce To Flouds , which thy destruction will produce . The total sum of what this Law requires , Is first , that we confess our own desires , To be corrupt : For purity begins To enter by confession of our sins . Next , let us force our Longings to obey The former Sacred Precepts what we may , Because , the failing in one Duty , still Le ts in another lusting after Ill. And , Lastly let us alway be content With what the Grace of God to us hath lent . For , none will keep Law moral , or divine , Who much at his Condition doth repine . How can they love their God to whom he seems To bar them what their appetite esteems Without regard their welfare to provide ( As many think ) whose wishes are deny'd ? How can he love his Neighbour who doth crave Their Heritage , their wives or goods to have ? And what Commandement will he respect Who neither God nor Neighbour doth affect ? Contrary wise him who Contentment hath , Naught urgeth to pursue a lawless path ; For , to what end should he who doth possess That precious Jem , embrace a wickedness ? He loveth God , because he surely knows God's Power and Wisdom , justly doth dispose That portion which will prove the best for him , Although it may be bitter for a time : And him he therefore serves , as he is able , In every Precept of the former Table . And while this Christian mind he entertains , He findeth Godliness , no little gains . Nor will those men who in their lots delight Or covet or usurp a neighbours right , For , he that is contented first believes That every one his propor share receives And not anothers ; next he strives to see How perilous to him these things may be , Which God withholds ; and weighs with such regard How fit those are which he for him prepar'd , That resting in his portion well apaid Nor House , nor Land , nor Wife nor Man , nor Maid , Nor Oxe , nor Ass , nor any thing that is Another man's desires he to be his ; But praiseth God , for what to him he gave , And thanks him too , for that which others have . Against no Law he greatly can transgress Who is arriv'd at this contentedness . And if to get this Grace our mind we set , By Gods assistance , we may compass it In that degree , whereby attain we may To what we call perfection of the way . But flesh and blood no further can aspire Until that Kingdom comes , which we desire . Strive what thou mayst , affections to withdraw According to the straightness of this Law , Thy Neighbours wife desire not then from him Though kind , wise , rich , chast , good & fair she seem ; For most who have this way their longings gain'd , Instead of Blessings , Curses have obtain'd , By coveting the goods to others due , The beggary of many doth ensue . And Servants gotten , by anothers wrong Are seldom gainful , to such Masters long , Because by being lawlesly possest , They either prove unfaithful , or unblest ; But he that with his own remains content , Shall gain much Bliss , and many sins prevent . That which doth give occasion to transgress Against this Law , is want of watchfulness , To heed the baits which our betrayer lays In every object and in all our ways . The want of meditating in our thought What inconveniences are dayly brought , On such as make no covenants with their eyes , Nor bound these longings which in them arise . For , such as this way do their best endeavour , May stumble , but they shall not fall for ever . " Lord , in my self , I could not find the Will , " Much less the Power , Thy statutes to fulfil . " But , I now feel my heart to entertain " A willingness ; Oh! be it not in vain . " Thy Grace alone renew'd this Will in me , " And I a worker now desire to be , " Who may , if thou enable to proceed , " Improve my willingness unto the Deed " Deny it not , Oh God! but from this day " Ev'n to the latest moment of my stay , " Vouchsafe unto me thy assisting Grace , " That I may run a warrantable Race . " And keep this Law and all thy Laws entire " In work , in word , and also in desire . Amen . The Epilogue . CHRIST IESVS Who is made vnto us Wisedome Rightousnesse Sanctification Redemption 1 Cor. 1. 30 the whole World lieth in Wickednesse 1. Ioh. 5. 19 Rom. 7. 24. O Wretched man that I am who shall deliuer me from y e body of this death Behold the Lambe of GOD which taketh away y e sin of y e world . Ioh. 1 . 29 Deliuer him from going down to the pit I haue found a ransome . Iob. 33. 24. Rom. 6. 23. the Wages of sinne is Death ii Timo. 2. 26. That they may recouer themselues out of y e snare of the deuil who are taken captiue by him at his will Though no flesh this Law obey , In it self ; In Christ it may : Though it frighteth us for sin ; Yet our peace , it ushers in : And , in us prepareth place , For the saving Law of Grace . When this Grace hath taught to Love , Hardest works will easy prove , And that sin we shall abhor , Which we doted on before . THE Epilogue . The Law from God 's meer love proceeds , Though strict it seems and Terror breeds . NOW having well observ'd this glorious Law ( A Creature cloath'd with Majesty and awe . ) Methinks the Body of it seems to me , Compos'd of such essential parts to be , That , he may find , who rightly from them shall All as but one ; each one of them as all ; And , that who ever breaks or keepeth one , Observes or breaketh all , in what is done : As will appear to him , who well attends How ev'ry Precept , on the rest depends . He cannot possibly or love or fear One God aright , who willfully doth err In Idol worshippings ; in vainly using God's holy Name ; In holy Times abusing ; Or , in permitting so perverse a nature As to abuse Himself , or any Creature Belonging to this God , with such a mind As may Contentment in such evils find . And what is of this Law averr'd ; we may In ev'ry other Precept boldly say . Moreover I conceive , it cannot be Of less impossibility , that he Who gives the Creature ev'ry way his right , Should in his heart his good Creator slight : Or actually offend him without sense And sorrow , for so hainous an offence . He that right Conscience makes to keep one Law , Of breaking all the other stands in awe . He that his Parents honours as he ought , Can never favour Murther in his thought , Or thirst for Vengeance : never will his eyes , Or heart , or members act Adulterys : No due from any Creature will he take , He dares of none conceive , receive or speak , Untruths or slanders : He will never crave ( Or by a secret longing wish to have ) What may not be desir'd ; Nor ought commit Which his profession may not ill befit , But penitence , will smite him for the deed , And in his heart a faithful sorrow breed . Much less will he grow wilfully to blame , In Prophanation of Gods Days , his Name , His Worship , or his Essence ; For , in one , Well doing , all good Dutys will be done , And this which from one Law , is here exprest , May really be said of all the rest . The like we may as doubtlesly averr Of them who ' gainst one Law perversly err : Begin at which you please , they so are chain'd , All sins are in the breach of one contain'd . One wickedness contracts another still , And that another ; either to fulfill Or hide the first ; until all guilt comes in And wheels him round the cursed Orbe of Sin. For , what hath he to bar him from the rest , Who but in one hath wilfully transgrest ? What other sin would he have left undone , Which might have hindred his beloved one ? Or , if perpetually he do not act All wickedness , and ev'ry filthy Fact ? Why is it so , unless ( perchance ) because , His finite Nature cannot break all Laws , At once in Act ; Nor his desires extend , To ev'ry thing wherein he might offend ? For ev'ry sacred Law , is in his Will ( Inclusively at least ) infringed still , And Guiltiness would actually appear , If power and fit occasions present were . For , as the Laws fair Body is compos'd Of portions qualified and dispos'd , In such a manner that we plainly see , The perfect Essence , of the whole to be In ev'ry part ; so , likewise , hath our Sin An ugle Body , and each Limb therein Containeth ( whether it be great or small ) Essentially , the perfect Guilt of all , And , by this Body , Death a means hath found To give to all Mankind a mortal wound . But , prais'd be God , his Grace provided hath A Light , a Guard , an Armour , and a Path By which we may be quite delivered from The Body of this Death ; and also come To walk the way of life , which else had bin For ever barr'd against us by our sin . The Lamb of God by whom we do possess Redemption , Wisdom , Justice , Holiness , With ev'ry matchless token of his Love ; The Guilt of that transgression doth remove , Which woundeth first our Nature ; and from him , We have a cure for ev'ry actual Crime . He , hath fulfilled what we could not keep : He , gives us power to walk , who could not creep : He , paid the price of that which we had bought : He , got our Pardon e're the same we sought : He , bore the stripes for us which we did merit : He , purchas'd Crowns that we might them inherit : Our Fears he doth prevent ; our loss restore , And ( to the true Believers ) tendreth more Than Adam lost . Yea , he doth freely give To ev'ry Soul a power which may believe And persevere , if well he shall employ , The Talents and the Grace he doth enjoy . And with a mind in all Temptations meek , This power in Christ , not in her self doth seek . Ev'n they that perish , till they do contemn God's profer'd Love : potentially in them Retain this power by God's Free grace , until Their Flesh seduc'd , like Eve , doth move their Will , Like Adam , to consent and then to Act A wickedness , and to approve the Fact Against their Conscience : For then God departs From their polluted and rebellious Hearts ; And back returneth not until from thence , That Guilt be washed by true penitence , The means whereof he also must bestow , Or else into obdurateness they grow . Affirm we may not , that God will not come To any ( whom he so departeth from , ) Twice , thrice , or oftner : For we cannot know How far the limits of his Mercys go ; Nor by what measure , or by what degree Of wilfulness , he so displeas'd shall be . As to forsake for ever , since he may Shew mercy where he pleaseth while the day Of life-time lasteth there is hope of Grace For every sinful Soul of Adams race . Just Job confesseth that God oft assays To draw the sinner from delicious ways The raising up of Lazarus from death , When he had four days yeilded up his breath , Inferreth also that some few obtain God's mercy who had dead and stinking lain In their transgressions ; till there was no place For help by outward means , or common grace . But this his mercy is the highest pitch , And if a God who is in mercy rich Vouchsafe it any where , he doth afford Much more than he hath promis'd in his word ; For , though he may confer it when he please , Yet , to have left such promises as these Had better'd none ; but made those worse , by far Who , for the Grace obtained , thankless are . " Oh who enough can praise thy matchless Love " Most gracious God! Who pleasest from above " To look upon the Vassals here below " Our Nature , and distempers tempring so ; " And so providing that the blessing lost " Is purchas'd for us , at anothers cost , And may by every Soul enjoyed be Who shall accept the means ordain'd by thee . Though as did once the Jews some Christians grudge As if the Childrens teeth were set on edge By what their Fathers eat and doubtful grow ( Although thou makest Oath , it is not so ) That most of those , which are or which have bin Since time began , shall die in Adam's sin ; And are in him rejected without place Or means of hope of truly saving Grace ; Yea , though this be an error whereby such As err that way have urg'd thy Justice much ; Yet we who fear and trust thee ( and to whom The knowledge of thy secrets therefore come ) Remember well ( and therefore heed have took ) That Thou , the general Covenant being broke ) Which first was made in Adam ) pleas'd hast bin To tell us of a new one , since brought in , And made with all men so particularly That no man for anothers Crime can die : A Covenant in Christ from whom both Will And Power we have receiv'd to fulfil So much as shall to thee be acceptable , If we endeavour , as thou dost enable : And whereas , when this knowledge we did want , We dreamed that thy New made Covenant Concern'd but few , we doubtless did aver A Doctrine which from Truth did widely err , For that which we did ignorantly call A Covenant , is no such thing at all : Because we then supposed nothing done , Nor ought believ'd , but on one side alone . A Covenant ( as men of Judgment know ) Is that which is contracted betwixt two ; But , thou by that which some of us do say Dost all thy self ; and giv'st nor power nor way To Act or will what absolutely can Be said to be the Act or Will of Man. We stand for nothing thou alone believ'st , Thou actest all thou givest and receivest ; Yea , if we this assertion must allow None truly worketh good or ill but thou ; Man's but a sufferer , whatsoe're he does , He doth because he can nor will nor chose . Lord let us know the better , and so know What powers and faculties thou doest bestow On us , to fear and serve thee , that we might In work , and word , and thought still do thee right ; For , thou so equally hast all things done , And shew'st such mercy unto every one , That ev'n by those who shall thy wrath abide , In every thing thou shalt be justifi'd , And none shall truly say , when call'd they are Before thy Throne of Judgment to appear , That thou hast more exacted any way From any man , than he had power to pay , Till by forsaking thee he forfeit made Of that enabling Grace , which once he had . This Law of thine which an appearance hath Of Terror , of Severity and Wrath To those dull naturalists , who have not weighed How by the Law of Grace it is allay'd ; Even this fear'd Law when first the same was made , No other end but Man's well being had ; Nor hath as yet , except it be to those Who sleight thy kindness , and believe thy soes . The former Table , which we weakly fain ( Doth only to thy glory appertain ) Concerneth in the points of highest nature , The Welfare and the glory of thy Creature . To thee what is it , whether we adore Thee for our God , or none , or twenty more ? Thine Honour was at full e're we were made , And would be so though we no being had . 'T is our Advantage that thou let 's us know To whom in our necessities to go , And leav'st us not as when we Gentiles were , To wander all our life times out in fear , In Darkness and in Error ; yet to find Nor ease of Body neither peace of mind . 'T is our advantage that we may be bold To scorn those Bugbears , which in times of old Men trembled at ; and that the power and fame Of what was nothing , but an empty Name Enslav'd us not to come with vows and praise To worship it , as in our Heathen daies , Which benefit we by this Law obtain'd , And which without this Law we have not gain'd . 'T is our avail that such a God we have Who lets us know that he hath power to save , And , that when we our selves to him apply , We need not fear a Rival Deity Will angry grow ; and do us in despight A greater Wrong , than thou hast power to right . Or , that a Jealous Juno can make void The hopes which in thy Love we have enjoy'd . It is our gain to honour thee alone , And that we need not now to Cyprus run To worship Venus ; then to seek Apollo At Delphos ; and from thence a course to follow As far as famous Ephesus to see If great Diana in her Temple be : And thence again to post , in hope to meet With Jove inshrined in the Isle of Creet . Our Times and Substance wasting to receive That from them , which they had not power to give . What were it unto thee ; ( but that our peace Thou lovest ) if we dayly shall increase Our vain will-worshippings , till we devise As many Superstitious Fopperies As we have sensless Dreams ? Or if our daies We spend on Idols , forging Puppet plays , And false Ideas , till all truth be lost ? And then , ( which is effected now almost ) Fight , brawl , and preach , to make up Sects and Factions To help maintain the Whimsies and Distractions Which fool us , till we find some Chrotchets new Unknown to Christian , Heathen , Turk , and Jew ? Moreover , ( but , that our own harm it were ) To know no power whereof we stood in fear , And were it not a merciful prevention Of miseries , of mischiefs , and contention Which else would rage among us if we had No name , in which with Reverence might be made Vows , Oaths , and Protestations ; Or if we Should not believe a Will and Power in thee To heed and punish it , when wrong were done ; What benefit to thee , ensu'd thereon , For which thou shouldst vouchsafe to make a Law To keep the damn'd For-swearers hearts in awe ? What suft ' rest thou , when mad Blasphemers rave Against thy holy Name , that thou need'st have A Law to curb them ? Or , what have they done More than those Dogs , which bark against the Moon If they themselves , or , others of their kind No damage by those Blasphemies did find ? And but , that sweetly provident thou art Ev'n for the meanest and least worthy part Of all thy Creatures ; what was that daies rest To thee , which thou ordain'st for Man and Beast ? Their pain or ease , Thy Rest augmented not , Nor , profit by the Sabbaths hast thou got ; Or , by the Festivals ordain'd by thee , For , they , not thine , but mans advantage be , Our Essence being of a double Nature , And , thou best knowing what best fits the Creature , Requirest all men so their time to use , That Soul and Body , may receive their dues But , what missalls to thee if any spends His Times in vain or to preposterous ends ? Some of us peradventure fancy may , That thou hast honour by the Sabbath day , And that it adds to thy contentment then , To hear and see great multitudes of men Assemblies make , to invocate thy Name , And in their songs to magnifie the same . Indeed this is our Duty , and when this Upon thy days by some performed is : Thou tak'st it as a honour done to thee ; That in such Dutys , we might serious be , Yet , still the benefit is all our own . Thy praise is neither more nor farther blown , To thy avail , nor doth our holiness Conduce to ought , but our own happiness . The days on which we memorize thy Graces ; And meet together in thy holy places , Are much for our avail ; for then and there Thou teachest us , our , Crosses how to bear ; What to believe and hope there we may learn How we 'twixt Good and Evil may discern , How Truth from cursed Error we may know , What Path to shun or take , what work to do , And how and whom to love ( which is the Sun And height of all whereto on Earth we come ) Which manifests that only for our sake , It pleased thee some days of Rest to make . Sure ev'ry mean capacity is able To understand , that in the second Table ▪ Mans welfare is immediately intended , And that therefore , those Laws be recommended To universal practice ; so to stay Our minds from running out another way . For if our lives ambitiously we spend In brawls for honour : If we set an end To all our kind by Murthers : If we please To plague our selves with ev'ry foul disease , And ev'ry grief of Heart , which will arise From Fornications and Adulterys : If all our Labours should be made a prey To Thieves , till want had worn us quite away ; If we should plague each other by our Lies , By slanders or in humane Perjurys ; Or , if our hearts upon the Rack were set By lusting after what we could not get , These madnesses our mischiefs only be , But neither harm nor discontent to thee ; Except in this respect , that having took Our Nature thy Compassion cannot brook , To see thy Members injur'd by the Sin , Which lawless people are delighted in ? Thou hast affirm'd ; ( the better to apply Thy workings to our mean Capacity ) That all things for thy Glory thou hast wrought , And , yet it is not therefore to be thought Thou wantest Glory , and didst work for more , Or , that it gain'd ought wanting heretofore . Nor may we think a power so truly wise , Should work for that which we are bid despise . But rather that thou honour dost expect To be to thee ascrib'd as an effect , Of fruitfulness belonging to the Natures , And undespis'd condition of thy Creature , Yea , I believe unfainedly oh God , By what I from thy self have understood , Thou wrought'st for Love. Not meerly to attain Thy Creatures love , for that had been as vain : Because indeed , as little need thou hast Of their imperfect love , as of the blast Of their weak praise . Oh Lord thy love it was Thy Love essential which did bring to pass , The works thou mad'st ; That blessed love of thine Which is thy Self ( Oh Essence most Divine ) For , being All , and all at full possessing In thy Self-being , thou conceivd'st a blessing To be conferr'd on others : not to add Ought to that Blessedness , thy Essence had . Thy wisedom infinite , a passage found ( By thy eternal Power , which hath no bound ) Distinct , and finite Natures forth to bring ( without impairing or deminishing Thy perfect Essence ) which of thy perfection Should give some Demonstration , by reflection . Among the rest one Creature thou did'st name , Compos'd of all , which th' vniversal Frame Therein contained ; And the same did'st make Not only so , as that it might partake Of all Created things , and also be A certain Medium 'twixt them and thee , But , which is to the honour of it more , Thine Image in it self it likewise bore , And had ●● possibility to be , United ( undivisibly ) to thee . A Species of this Creature , Lord I am , And , for what end created we became As I conceive it , here , I mean to tell Oh teach me better , If I say not well , Thou being Love it self , and therefore kind , It was thy gracious and eternal mind , Mankind a Sharer in thy bliss to make And grant him License also to partake That Glory which thou didst enjoy alone , Before all other Beings were begun , And this great favour Lord thou pleased wert , ( As well became thy Wisdom ) to impart By Means , Degrees , and on the same condition Through which we best might gain the best fruition Of what was purposed ; and come to be United ( as I said before ) to thee . To Adam this great Mystery appear'd Till disobedience , Foggs in him had rear'd Which dull'd his Reason , and his heart declin'd From Thee , within himself , this bliss to find . The Law thou gav'st him , was not ( as is thought By some of us ) that proof might so be sought Of his Obedience : For thou knowest all Before it is ; and what shall still befall , Much less ( as other some conceited are ) Was that Command intended as a Snare Those to entrap whom thy eternal Hate , Had fore-decreed . Oh God! to reprobate ? Far it is from the Goodness of thy Nature , To be a God so Cruel to thy Creature , And far , far be it from thy Creatures too , To their kind Maker so great wrong to do . This , rather , seems the cause there could not be A possibility , that Thou and We Should make a perfect Unity , unless Our Nature had Essential Righteousness : For , otherwise , thy Justice would abhor That which thy Mercy did endeavour for , And , from uniting us , become so far That thine own Attributes would be at War. When therefore Man seduced fail'd in that , Which might have perfected his blest Estate , And , that perform'd not whereby Justice might , In our Advancement take a full delight , Behold , thy powerful Mercy did prevent Our total ruin by a Wonderment Beyond the Worlds Creation , out of nought . For , when by Sin we further off were brought , From what thou had'st intended us , then by The not obtaining of an Entity Thy all-inventing wisdom found a mean Through which our Essence made e're while unclean Should be re-purifi'd and so perfum'd That personally it might be then assum'd Unto thy self ; and Man thereby attain A Happiness not to be lost again . If some few easy Duties he will do When Grace enables Nature thereunto . And doubtless every Man shall one day know That thou on him such portions didst bestow ( Ev'n pers'nally ) that if he be undone , It was not Adams , but his fault alone . This Mystery thy goodness brought to pass , And for no other end , Oh Lord it was But for our good ; for neither dost thou need Our Praise or Love ; nor is it for the deed Of Love or Praise , or Worship or of ought Which by our faculties to pass is brought , That thou requirest them of us ; but that we Should not unto our selves defective be In doing our endeavours to attain So much as lieth in our power to gain Lest it indamage us , and in the way Unto our true perfections stops may lay . Essential goodness hath essential peace Without all diminution or increase , And therefore he who blessedness desires To that above all other thing aspires . To love and give due praise , is better far Than to be lov'd , or to be praised are To him that hath subsistance of his own Ev'n I my self ( whose heart is overgrown With imperfections ) love without respect Of any end but meerly to affect Those whom I love , and rather would have done Ten thousand kindnesses than sought for one . And Lord if such a failing love as mine , May reach to this ; how infinite is thine ? And , Oh how far art thou from things so vain As loving meerly to be lov'd again By such poor worms as we whose best affection Is but a passion full of imperfection ! Indeed thou bid'st us love thee ; but , for what Save to preserve us capable of that , Which we receive ; and that we might not miss The comfort which in Virtue placed is , And of whose hapless want , he cannot chuse But feel the loss whose conscience doth accuse : Yea thou commandest love , that love may make Our nature of thy nature to partake : Without which quality there cannot be The true Communion 'twixt us and thee , Which is the very height of all our bliss , Or which indeed the Essence of it is . For could we be of thee , Oh God! approv'd , Or , could we of all creatures be belov'd Tho' we no love return'd ( nor had in us , An object for the love conferred thus ) Which were impossible ; we ne'retheless Should suffer by our own unworthiness An inward Hell , and to our selves invent , Occasions of continual discontent , As to those envious men , it may appear Who causlesly injurious often are . To those their honest neighbours whom they find To them as friendly as they are unkind , For outward plagues pursueth so this sin , Nay also , so affects him still within , And till his nature be depraved quite , His own Injustice will his heart affright . Yea they whose Crimes are pardon'd are not free From suff'rings though they well assured be , That neither God nor Man will blame them for , The passed Frailties , which they do abhor . For then our hearts will grieve do what we can , If they have injur'd either God or Man. And then more favour is vouchsaf'd to them , The more themselves they censure and condemn . Therefore , although I can forgive my Friend , Yet , I would have him wary to offend , Lest , when he finds his error griev'd he be , Within himself , that he hath wronged me , And in his heart a torment suffer should , From which my love would keep him if I could . Ev'n so oh Lord my God ( though in degree , More infinite than can conceived be : And , in a manner , which I am not able By any Figure to make demonstrable ) In meer Good-will to Man , thou pleased art To preach unto his ear , or to his Heart Those Dutys , which to thee from him belong , That he , unto himself , may do no wrong . Because we seem a great esteem to have Of Love and Praise , and thereby to receive , Content and profit ; thou dost oft propose By us to be perform'd ; such things as those , As Dutys which are much of thee desired , And at our hand , for thy avail required , But doubtless thou dost only seem to be Like us , that thou might'st make us like to thee , And that , ( if thee we love ) we might be won To do as for thy sake what should be done . For our own Good ; As Parents kind and wise Have dealt with Children in their Infancies . And whereas , Lord , it hath been said by thee , That thou wilt of thine honour Jealous be : Thou only Jealous art , lest our neglect Of thee , our own perdition may effect . Thou dost things Honourable ; and though none Did praise thee for them , they should still be done . Thine honour is essential : That we give And which from us thou pleasest to receive Is but an accident ; which ever may , Without thy loss , be present or away . And when thou either thanks or praise requirest To perfect us , those Dutys thou desirest . This we long time have so misunderstood , As if we did conceive thou wert a God , Affected with Self-Love , or Fruitless Fame , ( Although we mannerly express the same ) Yea we have dream'd that thou this world did'st make And us and all things for thy Glorys sake . In such a sense , and for such praises too As we effect , when our best works we do . I would we thought no worse ; or would we knew What damnable absurdities ensue , Our groundless Fancies ; For by them thou gain'st Some fear , but little hearty love obtain'st . By these false thoughts of thee , we do encrease Our own self Love , and all vain gloriousness , Within our selves hence is all we intend , Our whole endeavours for a private end , And that a froward peevishness is own'd , In most of all our actions to be found , For who can possibly be just or wise , Who to his God imputes absurdities ? Lord now we better know thee ; and are shown Both by thy words and works what should be done ; Our selves we yet improve not as we ought , By what thy Workings and thy Word have taught , But both Self-love and Vanity have share , Ev'n in our Actions that most pious are . We Counsel , we Relieve , Write , Preach and Pray , That Honour , Gain , or Pleasure bring it may , To our own Persons ; and would little care How wicked and unhappy others are , Had we our aims ; and still might them possess Amid'st our Sins and their unhappiness , Ev'n I my self who love a better mind , Do in my self so much corruption find , That ( I confess ) received Injuries , More mov'd me to reprove Impieties , Than mine own goodness , and that from my sin My best performances did first begin , For which let pardon , Lord , vouchsafed be , And more sincere hereafter make thou me , For , this may peradventure be the cause , We preach thy Gospel , and pronounce thy Laws , And write without effect ; ev'n this that our Corruption makes the means , to want the power It might have had ; Else 't is because we hide Thy Love , and have that saving Grace deny'd , Which thou to all extendest ; and which none Shall want , who striveth to lay hold thereon . To help amend these faults now I have said , What , I believe thy Spirit hath convey'd Into my heart : If I have err'd in ought Let me , oh Lord , by thee be better taught If truth I speak , let other men from hence Partakers be , of my Intelligence , Make me and them thy love so fully view , That we in our affections may be true , And give us Grace the truth of them to show In doing well , the Duties which we owe. Amen . A Metrical Paraphrase Upon the CREED . SInce it befits , that I account should give What way unto Salvation I believe ; Of my profession here the sum I gather . First , I confess a Faith in God the Father : In God , who ( without Helper or Partaker ) Was of himself the Worlds Almighty Maker , And first gave Time his being : who gave birth To all the Creatures , both of Heaven and Earth . Our everlasting welfare doth consist In his great mercies , and in Iesus Christ ; ( The second person of that Three in one ) The Father's equal , and his only Son ; That ever-blessed , and incarnate Word , Which our Redeemer is , our life , Our Lord For when by Sathans guile we were deceived , Christ was that means of help , which was conceived ; Yea , ( when we were in danger to be lost ) Conceived for us , by the Holy Ghost . And that we might not ever be forlorn , For our eternal safety he was Born ? Born as a Man ( that Man might not miscarry ) Even of the substance of the Uirgin Mary , And loe , a greater mercy , and a wonder ; He that can make All suffer , suffered under The Jewish spite ( which all the world revile at ) And Cruel tyrannies of Pontius Pilate . In him do I believe , who was envied , Who with extreamest hate was Crucified : Who being life it self ( to make assured Our souls of safety ) was both dead , and buried : And that no servile fear in us might dwell , To conquer , He descended into Hell : Where no infernal Power had power to lay Command upon him ; but on the third day The force of Death and Hell he did constrain , And so in Triumph , He arose again . Yea , the Almighty power advanc'd his head , Aswel above all things , as from the dead . Then , that from thence gifts might o men be given , With glory , He ascended into Heaven : Where , that supream and everlasting throne , Which was prepar'd , he clim'd ; aid sitteth on That blessed feat , where he shall make abode To plead for us , at the right hand of God And no where should he be enthroned rather , Than there : for he is God , as is the Father And therefore , with an equal love delight I To praise and serve them both , as one Almighty : Yet in their office there 's a difference . And I believe , that Jesus Christ , from thence , Shall in the great and universal doom , Return , and that with Angels He shall come , To question such as at his Empire grudge ; Even those who have presumed him to judge And that black day shall be so Catholick , As I believe not only that the quick To that assise shall all be summoned , But , he will both adjudge them , and the dead . Moreover , in the Godhead I conceive Another Person in whom I believe : For all my hope of blessedness were lost , If I believ'd not it the Holy Ghost . And though vain Schismaticks through pride and folly Contemn her power , I do believe the holy Chast Spouse of Christ ( for whom so many search By marks uncertain ) the true Catholick Church . I do believe ( God keep us in this union , ) That there shall be forever the Communion Of Gods Elect : and that he still acquaints His Children in the fellowship of Saints . Though damned be Mans natural condition , By grace in Christ I look for the remission Of all my foul misdeeds ; for there begins Deaths end , which is the punishment of sins . Moreover , I the Sadduces infection Abhor , and do believe the Resurrection : Yea , though I turn to dust , yet through God , I Expect a glorious rising of the body , And that , exempted from the cares here rife , I shall enjoy perfection and the life That is not subject unto change or wasting , But ever-blessed , and for ever-lasting . This is my Faith , which that it fail not when It most should steed me , let God say , Amen . To whom , that he so much vouchsafe we may , Thus as a member of his Church , I pray . A Metrical Paraphrase Upon the LORD'S PRAYER . LOrd , at thy Mercy-seat , our selves we gather , To do our duties unto thee , Our Father . To whom all praise , all honour , should be given : For , thou art that great God which art in Heaven . Thou by thy wisdom rul'st the worlds whole frame , For ever , therefore , Hallowed be thy Name . Let never more delayes divide us from Thy glories view , but let Thy Kingdom come . Let thy commands opposed be by none , But thy good pleasure , and Thy will done . And let our promptness to obey , be even The very same in earth , as 't is in heaven . Then , for our selves , O Lord , we also pray , Thou wouldst be pleased to Give us this day , That food of life wherewith our souls are fed , Contented raiment , and our daily bread . With needful thing do thou relieve us : And , of thy mercy , pitty And forgive us All our misdeeds , in him whom thou didst please , To take in offering for our trespasses . And for as much , O Lord , as we believe , Thou so wilt pardon us , as we forgive ; Let that love teach us , wherewith thou acquaints us , To pardon all them , that trespass against us . And though sometime thou find'st we have forgot This Love , or thee , yet help , And lead us not Through Soul or bodies want , to desperation Nor let abundance drive , into temptation . Let not the soul of any true Believer , Fall in the time of tryal : But deliver Yea , save him from the malice of the Devil , And both in life and death keep us from evil . Thus pray we Lord : And but of thee from whom Can this be had ! For thine is the Kingdom . The world is of thy works the graven story , To thee belongs the power , and the glory . And this thy happiness hath ending never : But shall remain for ever , and for ever . This we confess ; and will confess agen , Till we shall say eternally , Amen . Thou shalt write them upon the posts of thy house , and upon thy Gates , Deut. 6. 9. FINIS . Notes, typically marginal, from the original text Notes for div A66751-e870 Job 33. 14. Notes for div A66751-e39230 See Pro. 30. 8 , 9. 
A56850	----	Divine meditations upon several subjects whereunto is annexed Gods love and man's unworthiness, with several divine ejaculations / written by John Quarles. Quarles, John, 1624-1665. 1671 Approx. 223 KB of XML-encoded text transcribed from 92 1-bit group-IV TIFF page images. Text Creation Partnership, Ann Arbor, MI ; Oxford (UK) : 2005-12 (EEBO-TCP Phase 1). A56850 Wing Q124 ESTC R4731 11057912 ocm 11057912 46179 This keyboarded and encoded edition of the work described above is co-owned by the institutions providing financial support to the Early English Books Online Text Creation Partnership. This Phase I text is available for reuse, according to the terms of Creative Commons 0 1.0 Universal . The text can be copied, modified, distributed and performed, even for commercial purposes, all without asking permission. Early English books online. (EEBO-TCP ; phase 1, no. A56850) Transcribed from: (Early English Books Online ; image set 46179) Images scanned from microfilm: (Early English books, 1641-1700 ; 1429:3) Divine meditations upon several subjects whereunto is annexed Gods love and man's unworthiness, with several divine ejaculations / written by John Quarles. Quarles, John, 1624-1665. [8], 174p. Printed by T.J. for Peter Parker, London : 1671. Reproduction of original in the University of Illinois (Urbana-Champaign Campus). Library. Created by converting TCP files to TEI P5 using tcp2tei.xsl, TEI @ Oxford. Re-processed by University of Nebraska-Lincoln and Northwestern, with changes to facilitate morpho-syntactic tagging. Gap elements of known extent have been transformed into placeholder characters or elements to simplify the filling in of gaps by user contributors. 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Copies of the texts have been issued variously as SGML (TCP schema; ASCII text with mnemonic sdata character entities); displayable XML (TCP schema; characters represented either as UTF-8 Unicode or text strings within braces); or lossless XML (TEI P5, characters represented either as UTF-8 Unicode or TEI g elements). Keying and markup guidelines are available at the Text Creation Partnership web site . eng Religious poetry. 2005-06 TCP Assigned for keying and markup 2005-07 Aptara Keyed and coded from ProQuest page images 2005-08 Judith Siefring Sampled and proofread 2005-08 Judith Siefring Text and markup reviewed and edited 2005-10 pfs Batch review (QC) and XML conversion DIVINE MEDITATIONS UPON Several Subjects . Whereunto is annexed GODS LOVE , AND Man's Vnworthiness . WITH SEVERAL Divine Ejaculations . Written by JOHN QUARLES . LONDON , Printed by T. J. for Peter Parker , and are to be sold at the first shop in Popes-head Alley on the right hand next Cornhil , 1671. To my Esteemed Friend , JAMES HOBARTE of Hales , in the County of Norfolk , Esquire . SIR . IF I am bold , it is in fulfilling your desires : I am confident you well remember when we were Prisoners together , that your self gave me the several subjects of these short Meditations ; I confess I have no cause to blush at the subjects , but I fear you will find cause to blush at the bad performance of your desires ; however , I have done my endeavor ; and if you please to own it worth your acceptance , I shall own your acceptance worth my labor , and ever remain Affectionately yours , JOHN QUARLES . TO THE READER . Kinde Reader , LEt me lay this Injunction upon thee before thou permittest thy eye to survey this little Volume , that thou wilt resolve to pardon , I will not say for what , for fear thou shouldest be scrupulous and not read ; The subject is Divine , and I confess too good to be so badly handled ; however , I have done my endeavour , and Alexander did no more when he conquered Kingdoms : But Reader , because I will not detain thine eye too long in one place , I bid thee Farewel . To my Muse . TEll we presumptuous Muse , how dar'st thou treat Vpon a Subject so sublime , so great ! Alas how dare thy infancy aspire So high as Heaven , where the Celestial Quire Of Soul-enchanting Angels , hourly sing , Anthems of joy to their mellifluous King ! This is a task that invocates the best And loftiest quills ; Heav'ns love must not b'exprest With wanton language : he that shall presume To labour in this work , must first perfume His Soul with true Divinity , and breathe Celestial ayrs , that Readers may perceive Their Author labours with a serious heart T'embalm his actions with divinest art ; This is a field whose spacious bounds extend Themselves to infinite ; who strives to end Shall still begin , and having once b●gun This pleasing progress , must not cease to run Vntil he stops in Heaven , there lies the gain , Who runs with Faith is certain to obtain . If then my Muse , thou canst divinely mount This sacred Stage , thou needst not fea rt ' account Thy actions prosperous , strive thou to stand Guarded with Faith , and Heav'n will lend a hand To prop thee up , his power will infuse Sufficient matter for an active Muse To work upon , his wisdome will direct Thy painful hand , his Mercies will correct Thy rambling thoughts , and teach thee to proclaim Th' unsumm'd up glories of his Royal Name ; Abandon Earth , and bid vain thoughts adieu , Thou canst not serve thy God and Mammon too ; Rouse then , and let thy well-prun'd Eagles wings Mount thee aloft , let not terrestial things Disturb thy resolutions , let them all Evade thy mind ; thy thoughts must grow too tall For such low toyes : stir up thy zealous fire , And what thou canst not well express , admire . DIVINE MEDITATIONS Upon several subjects . I. GRoans , midnight groans , usurp the Commonwealth , Oh my infringed Soul ! I know no health , Nor feel no pleasure , all my joyes are fled I know not where , and I am worse than dead . Heav'n shouldring Atlas , if compar'd to me Bears nothing , mine 's a weighty misery . II. Ah me , can nothing cure me , is my grief So much insanable , that no relief Can flow from Gilead ? do my sins obstruct Those tydes of grace which usually conduct Refreshments to me ? Oh most dismal fate ! He feels a plague too soon , that grieves too late . III. Cimmerian mists , alas ! and what are they ? ( Compar'd to me ) less than a glorious day . The sense of my own blindness makes me know The blindness of my senses . Can a woe Be more exub'rous ? here 's a grief refin'd , A seeing Body , and a Soul that 's blind . IV. The sight-deprived wretch , whose darkned fate Makes day and night ( as 't were ) incorporate , And knowes no difference , but still gropes about , And finds his Day within , his Night without : But I , sad I , being muffled up in sin , Find Day without , alas ! but Night within . V. Saddest of thoughts ! Oh that I could espy One gracious Sun-beam , that my willing eye , Might , like the dawning of the Infant-day , Grow by degrees , and at the last display Some glorious rayes to my endarkened heart ▪ I 'de hug that light , and never let it part . VI. But I , unhappy I , whose former dayes Consum'd in ill , have quite expell'd the rayes Of future happiness ; and now I see All evil is epitomiz'd in me . Too late I grieve , for what I feel too soon ; The Sun le ts fall his fiercest rayes at noon . VII . Though foggy vapours oftentimes ascend , Being exhaled by a Solar friend , From Earths chill brest , and for a season shroud Themselves within an entertaining cloud . Yet at the last , ( unwilling to remaine ) Discloud themselves , and fall to Earth again . VIII . But ah ! my sin-exhaling soul is fill'd With noysome fogs that cannot be distill'd ; They keep a forc'd possession , and encrease Within me , nay , and riot out my peace . Needs must the Empire of a troubled brain Feel store of torments where such Neroes raign . IX . Corporeal griefs , compartivelay , merit The name of Pleasures to a troubled spirit : Martyrs have taught , that temporary pains ( If well improv'd ) swell into future gaines . Grief 's banisht quite from him that dyes forgiven ; A Storm on Earth portends a Calm in Heaven . X. As woe and trouble commonly await Upon the frailty of a humane state ; So Grace and Mercy evermore are found Attending , where Divinity sits crown'd . Ah! would it not be undiscreetly done , To sit in darkness to avoid the Sun ? XI . If Heaven should please to banish from our sight His glorious Lamp , whose most diffusive light Gives life to nature , all things would retire Into a Chaos , and the world expire . The Soul 's a World-divine , and Christ's the Sun , Who shining not , the World is chang'd , not done . XII . We may observe , when happiness concludes , How soon the sad and fatal interludes Of Misery appear : for Grief and Joy Are Initiators . When our sins destroy The happiness we had , Ah then appears Mischief attended with an hoast of fears . XIII . Adam ( unhappy man ! ) with what a grace Could he present himself before the face Of his well-pleas'd Creator , till the heat Of his own lust compel'd him to retreat From Gods commands . Ah then , his new-bred fear Made him afraid to see , as well as hear . XIV . Let but the apples of the tender eye Receive a sudden touch , and by and by The sympathizing part will quickly be Frighted ( as 't were ) into a mutiny , So when the Sin : toucht soul begins to smart , The sentiate faculties must bear a part . XV. Courage in Sin , is but a Sin enlarg'd ; Which like a deep-mouth'd Cannon over-charg'd Recoyles or breaks . Had Peter found no vent For his denying-sins , his soul had rent It self in pieces . Blest is he and wise , That can discharge his sorrow at his eyes . XVI . Sins that do float in tears , are often drown'd In their own floods ; When real sighs abound , They raise a tempest , and our sins are tost Against the rocks of Mercy , till they 're lost . When sins beleaguer us with hostile fears , There 's no Artillery like Davids tears . XVII . Curst ( like the Fig-tree ) is that barren eye That in a flood of Sins is alwayes dry . Teares are the choicest Jewels which are set Like Orient Pearls in Heaven's rich Cabinet . When Faith implores , th' Almighty One that lent A vent for tears , will send us tears to vent . XVIII . Faith is the Souls best Orator ; 't is known , There is no Musick like a faithful groan . A Whisp'ring faith will find a ready ear , When a loud-thundring faithless voice must steer From whence it came , no audience will be given , A soft tongu'd Faith on Earth speaks loud in Heaven . XIX . Faith feeds the hungry , and it safe-guards those , That fear the danger of incensed Foes . T is Heavens proof-armor , he that wears this shield May safely meet Goliah in the Field . 'T is heavenly mirth to hear a David sing ; 'T was Faith that kill'd Goliah , not a sling . XX. The precious balsom of a sound belief , Expels the poyson of a raging grief . The womans bloody issue could not be Cur'd , but by Faiths Divine Chirurgery . When grief assailes , the patient must be sure T' apply warm prayers , and Faith will end the cure . XXI . Reason and Faith are Combatants , the One Demands a ( why ) the other will be known Without a reason , for the powerful hand Of Faith can fight , where reason cannot stand . He that believes what 's possible , can strain His Faith no higher than a humane brain . XXII . Faith is the mindes establisher , should we Believe but what we understand , and see , We should prove Infidels : had Abraham try'd His Faith by humane sence , his Faith had dy'd . But barren Sarah , when her time was run , Blest aged Abraham with a smiling Son. XXIII . When our estranged ashes , shall lye hid In their corruptions , reason will forbid Their re-uniting , but a faithful eye Sees them inclining to their unity . If we observe , we shall be sure to find T hat Faith sees best , when humane reason 's blind . XXIV . A well-deserving eye , shall always find Faith and Theology , as close combin'd As Marth ' and Mary were ; who strive to smother The one , must needs extirpate the other . Accurst be they that separate such friends : Destroy the consort , and the musick ends . XXV . Th' inflamed Lamp shines in a darksome night , And fills each corner with a trembling light ; But when extinguisht our benighted eye , Leaves every object in obscurity . So shining Faith ( snuft out by sin ) expires And leaves us muffl'd in our dark desires . XXVI . Faith 's a Monoculist , and can descry The Sun of Glory with a single eye . It comprehendeth all things , every place Where she aboads , is beautifi'd with grace . He 's like a pregnant Land that knows no dearth , But brings forth many off-springs at one birth . XXVII . Faith can unnaturalize a Lion , and Make him lye subject to a strict command , Or Daniel had not liv'd , his Lamb had power , To make the Lions tremble , not devour : Be pleas'd Oh Lord , to look upon our Sion , And send this Lamb to chase away our Lion. XXVIII . When once despised Faith is laid aside , Needs must the Fabrick of Religion slide . An unpropt-house , with danger is enjoy'd , And Pallaces prove rubbish when destroy'd . Oh how unblest is that declining Nation , Where Faith 's quite lost , Religion 's out of fashion . XXIX . Faith and Religion like the Turtle-dove , Having lost her first , admits no second love . The troubled Ocean is not eas'ly still'd , 'T is far more easie to destroy than build . When Faction thrives , Religion starves at nurse , Who sins with Aegypt , must have Aegypts curse . XXX . Sure sad Religion , cannot chuse but groan Under deformity , when every one Shall dress her at his pleasure : is it good To cancel that , which Martyrs seal'd with blood ? Sure no it is not , blessings are despis'd , When pure Religion 's so much Proteuniz'd . XXXI . I 'd rather want a blessing , than abuse The blessing that I have , th' apostate Jewes Can evidence this truth , for whilst they stood To save the evil , they destoy'd the good . Did it not add to Pilates sin , who cry'd , I find no fault , and yet our Saviour dy'd ? XXXII . Had Judas known the blessings he possest , In being private to our Saviours breast , Sure then his most inordinate desires , Had found no fuel to maintain his fires . Best things in their corruption prove the worst , Truth speaks aloud , for Judas was accurst . XXXIII . Alas how fondly did our thoughts despise These sacred joys , which now we chiefly prize Because we want them , and we sadly prove The want of blessings tutors us to love The blessings that we had , if I transgress , Let David witness what my thoughts express . XXXIV . Th' unfathom'd gulf of mans unsatiate mind Proves most outragious , when 't is most confin'd , I could perswade my self , if 't were a sin Not to be sinful , Man would soon begin To practise goodness , for the flesh would be Oppugnant to the Spirits faculty . XXXV . The raging fire , the more it is deprest The more it burns , our Parent Eve transgrest Because she was forbid , although she knew What unavoided danger would accrew . Yet her unsatisfi'd desires were such , She could not chuse but tast as well as touch . XXXVI . Faction's the worst of Evils , 't is a sin Beyond addition ; when we once begin To fall to Heresie , we know not how Nor what to act , alas we can allow A firm respect to nothing , for to day , We hug what we to morrow cast away . XXXVII . If we observe , it may be quickly seen How great a disproportion is between The Schools of God , and Nature , we conceive In Natures Schooles , before we can believe ; But in the Schools of God we must aspire , First to believe , conceive , and then admire . XXXVIII . Affliction is the Christians badge , who knows Earths greatest pleasure , find her greatest wees , Alas what are th' injoyments of this life , But fleeting shadows which denote a strife ? If Davids troubles sojourn in my brest , Lord give me Davids heart , and I am blest . XXXIX . He that endures Affliction , must abide The harsh directions of his knowing Guide : For they that travel in this world must take Affliction by the hand , or else they 'l make A fruitless journey . He 's a senseless slave , That dances with Earth's Musick to his grave . XL. Affliction is sins Nursery , and they That kill the Brat , must take the Nurse away ; If not , they must expect what 's much more worse , For sin is known to be the Devils Nurse . Then may they cry with lamentable breath , No wages will content the Nurse , but death . XLI . Wouldst thou prevent affliction ? then draw near , I 'le tell thee how , when sin begins t' appear , Drown it in teares , teares of a heavenly race , He that includes a sin , excludes a Grace . Sin often growes too aged for relief : There is no danger like a non-ag'd grief . XXLII . The wise man grieves not , that he undergoes Affliction , but because he fully knowes His many sins deserv'd as many more , If ten times doubl'd , than he did before . Patience in things adverse , like Stars , shine bright , And most transparent in the darkest night . XLIII . 'T is good to be afflicted , or else he That spoke it took delight in Misery . If Davids sins infect thee , let thy heart Be bath'd in Davids tears , and then thou art Indeared unto Heaven : for he that lent Much time to sin , must borrow to repent . XLIV . Repentance leaps to Heav'n , if we expect A future blessing , we must not neglect This present business , which if we delay , Wee 'l want to morrow , what we lost to day : But let 's consider e're our time be spent , How soon we sin , and yet how late repent . XLV . He that delayes Repentance , makes great haste To his own ruine , and commits a waste Upon his Soul , for every hour we spend And not repent , we wilfully befriend Our Adversary , Hell , whose Gins being set , He lyes and watches , when to draw the Net. XLVI . The Net being drawn , well may we run about , And make our selves more fast , attempting out . Then our betrayed Souls may sadly say Had we repented , when 't was said , to day , This Net hath not insnar'd us , nor we cry , We that did ever sin , must ever dye . Gods Love , AND Mans Vnworthiness . GOD ! how that word hath thunder-clapt my Soul Into a ravishment ; I must condole My forward weakness ; Ah , where shall I find Sufficient Metaphors t' express my mind ? Thou heart-amusing word , how hast thou filld My Soul with Halelujahs , and distil'd Wonders into me ! Oh , that I could break My heart in pieces , and divinely speak My mind in Raptures , that the frantique Earth May bath it self in these sweet streams of mirth . Then rouze my Soul , and practise how to turn Thy wonders into language ; do not burn Thy sacr●d fuel in a place where none Can have the benefit but thee alone Hoist up thy Sails , and let thy speedy motion Hurry thee hence into the boundless Ocean : Observe thy Compass , keep a constant pace , And Heav'n will steer thee to the Port of Grace . 'T is strange to think , how the Almighty can ( That is so pure ) love such a thing as Man , Whose primitive corruption makes him worse Than nothing , whose Rebellion claims a Curse , More than affection : How can Heav'n endure A thing that can be nothing but impure ? Man ( like a word that 's void of reason ) sounds In every ear , his very name expounds A misery ; at best , he needs must be But vain ; And how can Heav'n love vanity ? Man ( like a shadow ) flies before the Sun Of his Afflictions , and is still undone By his own doing , he 's his own pursuer ; And how can Heav'n love such a self-undoer ? Man ( like a naked worm ) is often found Digging himself into the loathsom ground Of ruine , he 's a Traitor to his Bliss ; And how can Heav'n love such a worm as this ? Man ( like a flash of lightning ) courts the world With lavish flames , and by and by is hurl'd Into that Nothing , whence at first he came ; Then how can God love such a short-liv'd flame ? Man ( like a Reed ) is evermore inclin'd To shake , and totter with each blast of wind ; He 's always running to the ground with speed : And how can Heav'n love such an earthly Reed ? Man ( like the dust ) is always blown , and tost From place to place , and flies , till it has lost Its Center ; never resting in one place : Then how can Heav'n love that which flies in 's face ? Man ( like a Fly ) still buzzes up and down From cup to cup , and sips on , till he drown Himself in pleasure ; fears no stander by : And how can Heav'n love such a drunken Fly ? Man ( like a Rain-bow ) oftentimes appears Clothed in colours , but can claim no years , No days , nay hardly hours , but must decay ; And how can heav'n love that which loves no stay ? Man ( like a bubble ) floats upon the waves Of his desires , whilst every blast enslaves His brittle substance , fill'd with windy troubles ; And how can heav'n love such unconstant bubbles ? Man ( like the froth ) spew'd from the Oceans brest Is tyded up and down , but knows no rest , Nor Perpetuity ; and can betroth It self to nothing : Heav'n loves no such froth . Man ( like the wind ) is every moment flying To every place , and hares to be complying Or resting any where ; how can it be ? That Heav'n can love so much inconstancy ? Man ( like a Swallow ) loves the fragrant spring Of earths delights , but with a spreading wing Flies from the Winters more congealed Brest ; And how can Heav'n love such a Summer Guest ? Man ( like a smoak ) presumptuously aspires Into the air , and by and by retires Himself to nothing , nothing's his conclusion ; And how can Heav'n love such a base confusion ? Man ( like a fire ) whose green and scragged fuel Denies to burn until it fights a duel With the encountring Bellows , which at last Obtains the conquest , then it burns as fast , And seems as 't were , ambitious to expire ; Then how can Heav'n love such a raging fire ? Man ( like an Arrow ) being once let go Out from the Archers well commanded Bow , Affronts the Clouds ; at last , having spent the store Of his small strength , sals down , & seems t' adore Th' inferior Earth , which , with a welcome , hides His down-cast head within her wounded sides , Where he remains , and scorns to be withstood : Man can be anything , but what is good . And cannot Man be good ? strange kind of tone ! What ? has he wept himself into a stone , Like Niobie ? no sure ; I fear his eyes Were never loaded with such large supplies : Ah , could he weep a Flood , Heav'n that prepares His ears to hear , would bottle up his tears In his remembrance ; every drop should shine Like Pearls absconded in a golden Myne : His sins command a Deluge ; could his head Be turn'd into a fountain , could he shed An Ocean at a drop , it could not cover His sins ( which are mountainous ) from the Lover Of real drops , for he would soon descry Those sand excelling crimes , where ere they lie : Yet would his Soul so much compassionate The flowing sorrows of his watry state , That with a calming hand he would remove His rocky sins , and hide them with his Love ; He would have pity , and with speed consent T' express his love , when all our tears are spent . Should Heav'n , who justly may , for every sin Drop down a Plague , and make it live within Mans guilty Soul , the world would quickly be Transform'd , and chang'd into a leprosie . Let none despair , for Heav'ns known mercies can Out infinite the greatest sins of man. Oh love beyond degree ! Shall Heav'n indulge Himself to Man ? and shall not Man divulge A gratefulness to him , whose hand prepares To wipe away his sin-poluted cares ? Ungrateful Miscreant , how canst thou view Thy former Miseries , and not renew Thy thanks to him whose Power set thee free , And brought thee back from thy Captivity ? Hast thou abandon'd Love ? wilt thou imprint Thy Soul with baseness ? Ah , what obvious flint Hath turn'd Affections edge ? what , art thou bent To shoot at him , that labours to prevent The Arrows of thy ruine , which will fly Into thy brest , except he puts them by ? Hast thou transform'd thy heart into a rock That will not move ? Shall mercy call and knock , And thou not hear ? What ? hast thou arm'd thy heart With senseless marble , that no flaming dart Of love can enter ? Hast thou vow'd to stand In opposition ? Cannot Gods Command Force thee to bow ? Art thou resolv'd to sport With thy destruction , and not yield the Fort ? Oh yield betimes ; do not resolve to be Too much a slave to Infidelity : For know ( frail wretch ) thy strength consists in clay When Mercy 's lost , then Judgment finds the way . Rally thy thoughts together , and throw down Thy brazen walls , thy yielding yields a Crown : For 't is in vain to oppose an arm that can Out-grasp the measure of so small a span . Alas , Alas ! it may be quickly seen What a large disproportion is between Thy God , and thee : Consider , he is all , And thou art nothing ; what can be more small ? Or what more great ? for he is infinite , And thou art finite : He is full of light , And thou of darkness ; He is fill'd with love , And thou art stuff'd with baseness ; He 's a Dove , And thou a Worm : Thus , thus thou mayst descry His firmness , and thine own infirmity . Then be not obstinate , but strike the Sails Of thy desires to him that never fails ; And know , 't is easie in an inch of time To take a worm ingarrison'd with slime ; For such a thing thou art , and all thy power Must yield to Heavens assaults ; thy April shower Has no continuance : therefore do not strive Against a God , whose wisdom can contrive What pleases him : Alas ! thy state is grounded Upon contingencies , thou art compounded Of nothing but uncertainties ; thy Arm Assumes no power , except it be to harm Thy wilful self : Then why wilt thou contend With him that importunes to be thy friend ? Thy friend , ( soul-saving word ) what higher bliss Can crown a heart , than such a friend as this ? Oh life of Ravishment ! how can it be A God , a worm , and yet a Sympathie ? Strange condescention ! was the like e're known Or fpoke by any mouth , except his own ? Hie balmy breath declares , that he will save And succor those that faithfully do crave His blest assistance : Hark , and hear him say , Ye that are heavy loaded , come away , Oh come to me , I am content to bear Your burthens , and extenuate your care . What higher note of love was ever strain'd To any ear ? Oh how hath man obtain'd So great a friendship ! 'T is a happy lot , Nay , and a wonder not to be forgot . And yet it is not strange , that he should prove So true a Lover , that 's compos'd of Love , And can do nothing else : If he correct , 'T is for thy crimes : he only has th' effect Of anger : for his grieved spirit moans To punish Sinners , and to hear their groans : His Soul takes no delight to crush to death The offending pris'ners of th' inferior Earth : He is the rich Exchequer of all good , And is by nothing ( except man ) withstood . All things perform what they were made to do , But only man , that strives to prove untrue To his Creator : nothing can be found Within thy brest , but that which is unsound . How sad it is to hear th' Almighty say , I 've nourish'd children , that are gone astray , And scorn to own me ! Oh rebellious dust ! That hate my paths , because my ways are just . The Ox will know his Owner , and the Ass His Masters crib ; but Israel , alas , Will not acknowledge me , but have destroy'd Themselves , & made their understanding void : Has not my fury then just cause to swell , Because they can do nothing but rebel ? Nefandous Creature , how canst thou endure Thy wretched self ? Ah , why wilt thou procure Thine own destructions ? shall all creatures be Obedient to their owners , only thee ? And wilt thou not acknowledge him that gave Large blessings to thee , and desires to save Thy Soul from torments , if thou wouldst incline Thy will to his , whose thoughts are all divine ? Forget obduracy , and learn the Art Of loving him , that loves an upright heart : Go ruminate upon thy base estate , And be unto thy self , compassionate . Yield to thy Maker with a cheerful brow ? First know what 't is to love , and after , how ▪ Love is the Laws fulfiller ; he that will Love God aright , must practise how to fill His Soul with true affection ; for the ways Of Heav'n are pav'd with Love : Immortal praise Attend his Courts ; he that forgets to love Forgets his God : They that desire to prove Heav'ns amatorious Guests , must first admire How such a spark as man came to aspire To such a flame , and how he came to be , Not only Earths , but Heavens , Epitomie : Be serious then , and let thy thoughts reflect Upon Heav'ns goodness , and thy disrespect . God out of Nothing ( except Love ) compil'd This spacious World , as if some princely child Were to be born : His providential care Was ( as it were ) ambitious to prepare The quintessence of pleasures to invite Some stately Guest to banquet with delight . First he extracted from a darksom Cell A glorious Light , whose beauty pleas'd him well ; Then he prepar'd a Canopy , inlayd With glittring Pearl , whose twinkling luster made A Heav ▪ nly shew ; and afterwards his hand Dasht back the waters from the naked Land : Then he commanded , that the Earth , being come Out from the Oceans new delivered womb , Should be adorn'd with an imbroidered Gown , That so her new-warm'd bowels might abound With several fruits . — — Thus having plaid his part Upon this Theatre , this life of Art , He usher'd in a thing , which pleas'd him best , ( He made the Feast , and after made the Guest ; ) Call'd by the name of Man , a naked , small . And dusty , shiftless Creature ▪ this was all , And all this nothing , but a lump of death , Until inspir'd by Heav'ns all-quickning breath . Vain , simple wretch ; ah , how couldst thou behave Thy self before a Judge so great , so grave ? Hadst thou but seen thy self , thou wouldst have cry'd Thy self to death , and with a blush , defy'd Thy base estate , to think that thou should'st be Natures most base and rude Anatomie . Couldst thou expect that Heav'n would entertain A thing so poor ? so weak ? so vile ? so vain ? Which like a spark blown from a new-made fire , Can onely shew it self , and then expire , Was it for this the All-Creator made Such large provision ? Was 't for this he laid Such rich Foundations ? Was 't for this his Power Deckt this well-pleasing odoriferous Bower ? Was it for this ( this little world ) he form'd A world so great ? was it for this he warm'd The Earths chill bosom ? was 't for this he spent His six days Labor ? was 't for this intent He made a Paradise ? where Flora spred Her fragrant off-spring , and made Earth a Bed Of rare compounded pleasures , where he plac'd This new-come Guest , whose very looks disgrac'd The Face of Beauty , to whose thriftless hand He gave that Government , with this Command : Of all the Trees that here thou dost behold , Thy lips being authoriz'd , thou mayst be bold To taste with freedom , only one , which I Conjure thee from , therefore restrain thine eye From lusting after it ; if not , thy breath Shall glut it self in everlasting death : Forget not my Commands , but let thy brest Be always faithful , and thou shalt be blest . Thus the Recorder having spoke at large This well-deliver'd ( although ill-kept ) Charge , He after said ; It is not good that man should be alone Without a help , I le therefore make him one . Oh sacred prudence ! Here we may discern A sweet conjunction ; here our Souls may learn Wisdom and Love , both which , if not enjoyd , Pleasures prove vanities , and blessings void . Heav'n , whose unidle art-full hand had set Man , as a Jewel , in his Cabinet , Thought it unfit , that those delights which he Had made by his most powerful Love , should be Monopoliz'd by one , he therefore laid Adam asleep , and having done , he made Out of a crooked Rib ( strange kind of Art ) A woman , fair , compleat , in every part ; Nay , and a helper too : for in conclusion She helpt poor Adam to his own confusion . Oh most detested deed ! Unconstant wife , To prove a Traitor to thy Husbands life As soon as made : Fond wretch could nothing suit With thy nice palate , but forbidden fruit ? Ah , could thy longing lie no longer hid ? What ? didst thou long , because thou wert forbid ? Was there no tree that could content thy eye , But only that which was forbidden ? Fie , Oh shame to think thou shouldst so quickly waste Thine hours of pleasure for a minutes taste : Couldst thou not like , or fall in love with any But that ? Heav'n had but one , & thou hadst many Wherewith to please thine appetite ; and yet Wouldst thou prove so ambitious , as to sit Upon the highest twigg ? Ah , could th' advice Of Satan tempt thee to this avarice With so much ease , and make thee rashly do So foul a deed , and tempt thy Adam too ? Preposterous wretch , how hast thou spread a cloud Over thy head ? what ? didst thou think to shrowd Thy self from vengeance ? Having eat thy death , Couldst thou expect to live ? Oh no , thy breath Offended Heav'n : but ah , hadst thou but thought ( Before thy heart had entertain'd a fault So great as this ) what 't was to die , thy mind Had made thee more abstemious , and confin'd Thy base inordinate desires ; thy meat Had prov'd delightful , and thy comforts great : But now , unhahpy now , thy crimes have made Thy Soul Deaths Debtor , and thou art betrayd By thine own self ; therefore prepare to meet Thy wrathful Judge : 't is said stoln goods are sweet , But thine prov'd sour , the fruits w ch thou hast stole Sugar'd thy mouth , but wormwoodiz'd thy soul : When thou hadst eaten , Ah! why didst thou not Tremble to death , to think thou hadst forgot Thy Gods Commands , & that his Judgments must Follow thy Soul , and blow thee into dust ? Thus Eve , thus Adam , having vilipended Their Gods Commands , their happines soon ended Their joys were turn'd to mourning , & their light Was turn'd to darkness , and their day to night ; Both being too much conscious , fled with speed To hide themselves from God , but not the deed . Even as some poor distressed wretch desires To hide himself from the enraged fires Of his incensed Foe , runs up and down To shun the rage of a condemned frown ; At last observing his enquiring Foe Approach the place , lies still , and dares not blow , For fear the wordless Eccho of his breath Should soon betray him to a sudden death : Being at last descry'd , his throbbing heart Gives an Alarum to each trembling part ; Fear , like an Earthquake , then begins to shake His loosen'd joynts , he knows not how to make A ready answer to his foes demands ; But , as a sad convicted man , he stands Subjected to his will , that can dispence With nothing , but with death , to calm th' offence . Even so Guilt-loaded Adam having done A deed so foul , prepares himself to run To some close shelter where he might immure His naked body , and repose secure : But ah , in vain , in vain he strove to hide Himself from God , that need implore no guide To teach him where his sad offender lay ; He needs must find when sin hath chalk'd th' way ; But when Heav'ns shril-enquiring voice surrounded The ears of Adam , Adam was confounded With deep distress , his heart began to call His quivering Senses to a Funeral : Fear , like a powerful fire , began to thaw His frozen thoughts , and keep his Soul in awe ; He breath'd in a Dilemma , and could find No Sanctuary for a perjur'd mind : At last the Language of th' Eternal God Storm'd his Sin-armed Soul , and like a Rod Whipt him from his security , and cry'd , Adam , where art thou ? Adam thus reply'd , I heard thee walking in the pleasing shade Of the cool ev'ning , and I was afraid , And hid my self , because I must confess , I blusht to see my shameful nakedness . GOD. Tell me , thou trembling wretch , how dost thou know That thou art naked ? say , who told thee so ? What ? has thy lips usurp'd the fruit which I Conjur'd thee not to touch ? if so , reply . Adam . The woman which thou gav'st me , gave to me , And I did eat of the forbidden tree . GOD. Unconstant woman ! Ah , why hast thou run Beyond thy bounds ? what 's this that thou hast done ? Woman . The Serpents flowing language swel'd too great For my low banks : he tempted , and I eat . Gods Curse against the Serpent . Because thou hast thus subtilty deluded The lustful woman , thou shalt be excluded From future good ; more shall thy curses yield Than all the Beasts and Cattel in the field : Thy belly shall ( because thou hast done this ) Give to the earth a life-remaining kiss ; Thou shalt not taste of any thing that 's good , Dust shall supply the place of wholsome food . Curst be thy ways , thou shalt no more be seen By me : I will put enmity between Thy seed and hers ; hereafter thou shalt feel A bruised head , and she a bruised heel . Gods Curse against the Woman . And as for thee , oh Woman , I 'le enlarge Thy grief and thy conception ; I 'le discharge Thy joyes , and load thee with a weighty grief ; Thy pains in child-bed shall find no relief ; Thou shalt desire thy Husband , and his hand Shall over-rule thee with a strict command . Adams Curse . Rebellious Adam , unto thee I 'le give A Life as bad as Death , for thou shalt live To see thy sorrows more and more abound , And for thy sake I 'le curse the loathed ground ; For thou hast hark'ned to the conquering voice Of thy frail wife , and made my fruit thy choice , And sepulchred my words within the grave Of thy false heart ; begon , thou self-made slave : The thorny ground shall give a large increase To thy laborious hand ; the name of Peace Shall prove a stranger to thy ears , and thou Shalt eat thy bread with a sweat-dropping brow ▪ I 'le murther all thy joys ; thy brest shall burn With flaming care , until thy corps return Into the bowels of th' inclusive earth ; From whence thou hadst thy substance , and thy birth : For base thou art , and therefore thou shalt be A food for gnawing worms , and not for me : As thou art dust , to dust thou shalt retire ; Hereafter let not dust presume t' aspire . Strange ▪ alteration ! Oh pernicious fate , Too quickly bred in such an Infant - state ! He that but even now enjoy'd a life Ballanc'd with pleasures , now is fill'd with strife : He , whose Majestick Soul was lately crown'd With blest content , is now ingulf'd , and drown'd In sorrows Ocean ; He , which was before Inrich'd with happiness , is now as poor As poverty can make him ; He , which had The countenance of Heav'n to make him glad ▪ Is now eclipst ; he knows not where to run , Sin having interpos'd between the Sun And his dark Soul , the Center of whose rest Is now remov'd , and he survives unblest : He , which but even now had leave to dwell And revel in Heav'ns eye , desires a Cell To entertain him ! he which liv'd in Peace , Is now thrown down , and forfeited his Lease : Great was his Crime , great was his sudden Fall , Great was his Tenement , his Rent but small : Poor Adam's taken by his own decoys ; Sin is the Sequestrator of all j ys . Sad Pilgrim of the world , where wilt thou find ( In the unpathed earth ) a place so kind To entertain thee ? Ah , where wilt thou keep ( Thus tumbled from a Precipice so steep ) The sad unpeopl'd rendezvouz ? Oh where Wilt thou procure a hand that will unsnare Th'intangled Soul ? Alas thy wearied life Hath two most sad companions ; first a Wife , Than a bad Conscience , what two greater crosses Can hang upon a brest , whose cares ▪ whose losses , Are grown so infinit , that no relief , But what distills from Heav'n , can ease their grief ? Thou wert the first of men that entertain'd So grand a sorrow , thou the first that stain'd So pure a colour , thou the first that dwelt In Edens garden , thou the first that felt The scourge of fury ; hadst thou not transgrest , Vengeance had found no hand , nor grief a brest . Ah , hadst thou not offended , sin had found No habitation , nor thy Soul a wound : Had not thy hand so wilfully unlock'd The door of Death , Destruction had not knock'd At thine impenetrable gates , or ventur'd T' approach so near , but being open'd , enter'd Bold Customer of fate , that sought about To come within , and turn poor Adam out ; Thy strength out strength'd his strength , & made him weak , A vessel crack'd , how can it chuse but leak ? Sin prov'd Deaths father , & mans heart the womb That brought it forth ; this Deatb shall find a tomb When the Determiner of time hath hurl'd A finis to the volume of the world ; Till then , man ( mortaliz'd by sin ) must be A subject unto Deaths Soveraigntie . Poor man , in what a wilderness of sorrow Dost thou now ramble in : where wilt thou borrow A minutes rest ? On what inclining ear Wilt thou expend thy groans ? what canst thou hear But dialects of misery to vex ( hear Thy bankrupt thoughts ? The fatal disrespects Of Heav'n will blow and toss thee up and down From place to place , his still renewed frown Will follow thee ; therefore provide t' endure The hot pursutes of such a fierce Pursuer : Canst thou expect that this thy grand abuse ( Which runs beyond the limits of excuse ) Can be forgotten ; dost thou think t'out-live Thy long-liv'd crimes , or hope for power to give Due satisfaction to thy God , whose rage ▪ Thy heart cannot endure , much less asswage ? Most lachrymable state ! What canst thou do , Oh man , that may ingratiate or renew Thy former love ? Alas , thy base condition Makes thee incapable of a Petition . Prepare thy self , see if thou canst invade His Soul with pray'rs , see if thou canst perswade His Heart to yield unto thy sad request , And re-inthrone thee with thy former rest ; Dissect thy Soul with groans , anatomize Thy Heart with sighs , and let thy winged cries Fly through the Angles of his sacred ear , And breed a harmony within the Sphere Of his blest Soul ; be circumspect , and lay The best foundation ; hear what Heav'n will say . Adams Petition to God. Incensed Father of eternal light , Permit a darkened Soul t' approach the sight Of thine incomparble eye ; unmask Thy Anger-clouded Soul , and let me ask Forgiveness for those loading Crimes which press My stagg'ring Soul ; I know not whom t' address My apostate self unto , but only thee , Whom I offended ; Please to pity me : I have no pleasing sacrifice t' attone Thy wrathful Brest , except a hearty groan That 's quadrupl'd with grief ; Oh deign to look Upon the lines of my all-blotted book : Although I 'm full of most detested spots , Yet Lord , I know that thou canst read my blots ; Oh read them then , and let thy mercies run With thy progressive eye ; I am undone , If not forgiven ; Lord I thee implore To shew some mercy to me , thou hast store , Decipher all my sins , and let them not Bear record in thy Rouls , but rest forgot ; Revoke this Act of death , that I may sing Th' admired mercies of so blest a King. Oh lift me up , that now am thrown below ; Make not my Soul the Custom-house of woe . Oh hear these bitter groans that I have spent , And send some comfort from thy Parliament . Gods Reply . Thou Skelleton of baseness , hie thee hence , Disturb me not ; return , I say , from whence Thou cam'st at first ; thou shalt as soon remove A mountain , as my mind : I cannot love , No nor I will not , nothing shall intreat My resolutions , for my fury 's great . Begone , proud Rebel , do not think thy prayers , Thy vows , thy groans , thy sighs , thy sobs , thy tears Shall make my brest their receptacle ; No : How can I be a friend to such a foe ? Surcease thy importunities , let fall Thy high desires , I will not hear thee call , Thy Sins have bart'd my ears ; I 'le not be won With thy base airy words , for thou hast spun The thread of thy destruction , therefore wear What thou hast labour'd for , and so forbear T'intrench upon my patience ; 't is in vain To seek for that which thou shalt not obtain . And is it thus , that Heav'n will not regard My cryes ? Ah me ! and must my groans be heard With disrespect by him , whose tongue affords Nothing , but grief , involv'd with bitter words ? Alas , alas ! what greater woe can crowd Into a brest than to be disavow'd By Gods high voice , whose most enraged breath Darts forth the Arrows of eternal death ? What shall I do ? Oh , whither shall I run To hide my self , until the glorious Sun Of his affections usher in the day Of welcom Joy ? Oh , whither shall I stray ? If I am silent , then my , silence turns My thoughts to fire ; If speak , my speech returns Trebl'd with wo , into the brazen Tower Of my sad heart , my language has no power To work upon his ears , my words ( like balls Banded , and thrown against th' obdurate walls Unyielding brest ) bounds back again , and breaks Into my heart , and every sorrow speaks A volume at a word ; yet , yet must I Return unheard ; 't is misery to dye , And pain to live ; thus in despair I draw The loathsom air : Destruction knows no Law. Grief rains a flood of doubt into my Soul ; Ah me ! I can do nothing but condole : I am despis'd ; and if I bend the force Of my desires to him , he will divorce All thoughts of pity , and with rage re-double Th'unsum'd up sums of my infringing trouble . I sail into the Straits , both wind and tyde Prevail against me , and I have no guide To Pilot me unto the long'd-for Port Of pleasing happiness ; I am a sport To threatning Ruine , whose presumptuous waves Out-dares my Soul , whilst every blast enslaves My reeling Pinnace : If I strive to go Towards Scylla , Scylla will contemn my wo , Alas in vain I can expect relief , Scylla will bark at my unbridled grief ; Or if my head-long vessel chance to hit Against Charybdis , I am torn and split Into ten thousand peices ; Oh hard hap ! Thus am I tossed in Destructions lap . Where shall I find a heart that will advise My friendless Soul , and audiate my cries ? I will not thus desist , I must implore , He that 's lost once , sure can be lost no more . Adams Petition to God. Once more , thou Metropolitan of all The spacious world , I here presume to call Upon thy mercy ; Oh let me inherit The pleasing fruit of thy re-pleased Spirit : I am thy fabrick , Oh some pity take , Preserve the building for the Builders sake . Cloath not thy brow with frowns , but let thine eye ( That rests inshrin'd with glorious Majesty ) Reflect upon my sorrows ; Oh encline Thy willing ears to hear this grief of mine : Oh do not say I shall as soon remove A mountain as thy heart , thou canst not love ; Let not such harsh imbitter'd language flow Out of a mouth so sweet ; I know , I know , Thou art as good as great ; oh therefore bow Thy sacred ears to hear , oh hear me now : Bestow some scraps on me , that have deserv'd Nothing but stripes ; for I have fondly swerv'd From thy commands & have committed treason Against thy Majesty : Great God of Reason , View my en-humbled Soul , see how it lies Before thy sight , a weeping Sacrifice , I know thou knowst I am a hainous sinner , Yet pity me , that am a young beginner In this rich art of begging : Do not slight My real prayers ; I know thou tak'st delight In being merciful ; Oh let me not Return unanswer'd , or my prayers forgot : Oh hear the sorrows of my bleeding state , Let my complaints make thee compassionate . And let the fervor of my language turn Thy thoughts to pity ; quench these flames that burn My wasting Soul ; speak peace to me that find A civil war in my uncivil mind : Oh I have tasted of thy hot displeasure Too much , Ah shall thy vengeance know no measure ? Say 't is enough ; though ( Lord ) I must confess I have deserved more , yet give me less . Thus with a melting heart I end my Suit , Ah me ! how bitter is forbidden fruit ! Gods Reply . Thou bold-fac'd Orator , how dar'st thou come Before me , or be otherwise than dumb ? Tell me , how dar'st thou interrupt my brest ? I hate to see thee , or hear thy Request . Audacious wretch , What , has my Judgment made Thy heart grow peremptory ? Have I laid Too small a burthen on thee ? If I have , I 'le lay a greater , thou apostate slave : I will not note thee , nor I will not hear Thy words , which have usurp'd my deafned ear : Love thee , for what ? be 't known , sad wretch , I scorn To love a thing so base , so vile , forlorn ; And if I cannot love , how can it be , That I can pity such a worm as thee ? I le neither love , nor pity , for my heart Is Adamantine ; thou shalt feel the smart Of my displeasure ; Go , my Soul disdains To look upon thee ; thou art so fill'd with stains , And smel'st too much of Fruit to find respect , Thou art the subject of my great neglect : Thou art a barren Soil , nothing will grow Upon thy heart , except the seeds of woe . Tell me , from what conceit thou dost derive Thy working confidence , that thou dar'st drive Thy language to my ears , and be so bold T' approach my sight , and wilt not be control'd ? Art thou resolv'd to make ( what dost thou mean ) My ears thy stage , and every word a scean ? Sum up thy small , thy weak deserts , and see What large respects thou hast deserv'd from me , I plac'd thee in a Garden , not to eat The fruit for bidden , but to keep it neat : Had not the violation of my Laws Mov'd me to anger , thou hadst had no cause T' have felt the burthen of my weighty stroke , Or live thus much subjected to the yoke Of thine owns sins ; most shameful is that Loss That 's crown'd with negligence , & great the cross That 's made with a self-hand ; & they that clime Above their strengths impropriate a crime To their own Souls ; Destruction is the end Of all Rebellion : Ruine knows no friend . Suppose I should invest and entertain Your Soul with Love , and call thee back again , The Tree is still the same , the fruit as sweet , Thy appetite as great , and thou mayst meet A Serpent too , whose oratorious skill May soon entreat thee to enact his will : He has a voice to tempt , and thou an ear Will re-assume the priviledge to hear : He has a hand to give , and thou another Freely to take : thus wouldst thou smother Thy new delights ; therefore I will not trust A heart that can be nothing but unjust . Thou great Mugul of baseness , cease to plead , Thy tongue 's a canker , and thy words are lead ; Thy sins have made thee not deserve the air Thou entertain'st ; hadst thou imploy'd thy care To serve me , when I lov'd thee , thou hadst had My heart-delighting joys to make thee glad ; But now expect no favour , for no Art Of thine shall ever captivate my heart . Hie thee unto the shades of grief , bewail Thy sequestrated happiness , no bail Of thy procuring will I take to set Thy Soul at liberty ; I will not let The vision of a comfort creep within Thy rambling thoughts , thou art a slave to sin : Hadst thou but lov'd or fear'd me at the first , Th'adst been as happy , as th' art now accurst : If now thou lov'st me , I shall quickly prove It is for fear alone , and not for love . Thy heart is steel'd with wickedness , thy faults Are sparks enlivened by thy flinty thoughts . Breath out thy groans unto a senseless rock , And let thy sighs ( like hammers ) beat and knock Against her scragged sides , thou shalt as soon Have her consent , as mine , to grant thy boon : 'T is therefore vain to multiply thy words , For ah , my brest , my hardened brest , affords . Thy Soul no pity : and the more thy cry Attempts my ear , the less I will reply , Alas ! thy guilt-o're-burth'ned words renew Fresh thoughts of rage , I cannot hear thee sue Without impatiency ; for ah , the longer Thou crav'st , thou mak'st my sury grow the stronger . Avoid my presence , for I will no more Give audience to thy voice , then cease t'implore . Adams Lamentation . Undone , undone ! what mountain now will hide My loathed body from the swelling tyde Of raging Vengeance ? Whither shall I fly T' involve my Soul with true security ? Stretch , stretch my lungs , and roar unto the deep T' entertain me : Oh that I might sleep Within her wavy bowels , till the blast Of Heav'ns all-shaking thundring Voice were past . Oh that some Rock would hear my sad request , And give me burial in her frigid brest ! Oh that my grief-extended voice could cleave The solid Earth , and make her to receive My wretched limbs ! Oh that some ranging beast Would prove so courteous to devour , and feast Upon my corps ! Oh that I could contrive A way to live , and yet not be alive ! Ah , thus my sorrow-shaken fancy flies , And envies at impossibilities . I fain would dye , but that I have no heart To kill my self , and yet I feel a smart Transcending death ; I see I cannot shun The wrath of Heav'n : Ah , thus I am undone By my own doing , this it is to eat Forbidden fruit : Oh most pernicious meat ! I was too rash , and rashly have I taken A deadly fall , and falling , am forsaken : I 'm bruis'd to death , and yet I cannot dye ; Ah , what can be so much unblest as I ? I am inflamed , and I dayly drench My Soul with tears , and yet I cannot quench My raging fires ; the more I strive t' asswage And mitigate my pains , the more they rage . What shall I do , or whither shall I go , To hide me from this Labyrinth of woe ? I am compos'd of sorrow , and my veins , In stead of blood , are fil'd with griping pains . Curst be these eyes of mine , which have let in The lawless tyrant of imperious Sin : Curst be these lips of mine , which at the suit Of my fond wife receiv'd forbidden fruit : Curst be these ears , that entertain'd the Charms Of that Inchantress , which procur'd my harms : Curst be these hands of mine , which took , and fed My greedy Soul , and struck my Conscience dead : And now my lips , my ears , my hands my eyes , Must see , hear , taste , and feel , my miseries . Oh sad condition ! Since there 's no relief , I must be subject to perpetual grief . Here we will leave poor Adam in the state Of woe , and thus begin to ruminate . Are there not many in this toilsom age That meditate themselves into a rage , And wonder how a Serpent could express Himself , and reason with such readiness ; Being by nature brute , nay and the worst Of living creatures , that he should at first Perswade and conquer , and instruct his will. How to determine both of good and ill ? It would seem strange , if Reason were without Her wings , and could flie above this doubt : We may ( and yet not stain the truth ) declare It was the work of Satan to ensnare Frail Eve ; although he was not nam'd at all By Moses in the Hist'ry of the Fall , It may not trouble us , for we must know , The bending Serpent was the Devils bow , By which he shot the arrows of his spire , Which did [ Oh grief to speak it ! ] flie too right : And he that dares so high a Crime to act ( Though by another ) needs must own the fact : And this our tongues may never cease to tell , The Serpent was the Intrument of Hell , Tun'd to the Devils voice : thus we may see His fraud , his malice , and his subtiltie . First when he saw he could not over-turn The great Creator , he begun to burn With flames of envy , lab'ring to invade , And to disturb that order God had made In the Creation , and to change the features Of his own Image in the best of Creatures , That so he may by his too sooth delusion Make Man run headlong to his own confusion : Thus having laid the platform of his work , He then begun to agitate , and lurk For opportunity , which was effected As soon , nay if not sooner , than expected ; He gave the blow , and by that blow he found The weakest Vessel had the weakest sound ; But yet it strongly eccho'd to the voice Of his desires , and made him love his choice . Even as some bold-fac'd General , that dares To storm a well-man'd Town ; at first prepares A potent Army , which he soon sets down Before the Walls of the alarum'd Town ; He after views the ruine-threatning-Fort , Which speaks defiance , and begins to sport Their several shots , and with a sad delight Ingage each other in a bloody fight ; Then if the fierce Besiegers once perceive Themselvs out-strength'd , they think it fit to leave So hot a work , and for a little space Desist , and fall upon a weaker place , Where finding smaller opposition , venture With greater Courage , and at last they enter The yielding Town , and cruelly begin To take revenge of them which are within . Even so the grim look'd , malice-armed Devil , The base-resolved General of Evil , Perceiving that he could by no means take The sublime Fort of Heav'n , plots how to make A fresh attempt , upon a weaker part , And so prepares to storm the flexive heart Of unresisting Eve ; that could not grapple With such a Foe , but yielded for an Apple To those most false alarums which surrounded Her , much obedient , and soon confounded Her inward parts , and gave her Soul a wound , Which cannot be by time or art made sound , Except the grand Physitian please to slake His swelling fury , and some pity take . Thus are our conquer'd parents sadly left In a deplor'd condition , and bereft Of all their comforts ; they which have enjoy'd The life of happiness , are now destroy'd ; And man ( his wretched off-spring ) must be made Sorrows sad heir , and Peace must not be said T' inhabit in him . Adams actual sin Made ours original ; for we begin , As soon as made , to entertain the guests Of sin , and lodge them in our infant-brests . Now may our weak and despicable eyes Behold in them , our ample miseries : Now we may glut the air with this sad cry , The root being dead , the branches needs must dye ; For Adam's gone beyond all humane call : Rebellion never ends without a Fall. But stay my Muse , here let us rest a while ; Our Journey 's long , and 't is not good to toyl Too much at first , for Reason sayes 't is best To pause a time , and take a little rest : Know then ( kind Reader ) that my Muse shall meet Thy serious eyes within another sheet . The end of the first Book . THE SECOND BOOK OF GODS LOVE , AND Mans Vnworthiness . ARe all hopes fled ? and is there no relief ? Must man still wander in the shades of grief ? Will not the eye of Heav'n be pleas'd to shine Upon his Soul , but leave him in the brine Of his own Sins ? Is there no warbling voice Can charm his ears , and woo him to rejoice In being pitiful ? Will nothing move The much incensed Soul of Heav'n to love ? Man [ Map of Misery ] who can prevail In thy requests ? Or who can cut off th' entail Of thy distress ? 'T is not a Writ of Error Can satisfie , or guard thee from the terror Of thine own Conscience , which will alway stare Upon thy face , and load thee with despair : 'T is not a Habeas Corpus will remove The body of thy sin , none can disprove The Will of God , what he resolves to do Must neither be withstood , nor div'd into : It lies beyond thy power to perswade Thy God to pity , whom thy Sins have made A wrathful Judge ; what he intends , must be , Derived from himself , and not from thee ; For thou hast nothing in thee worth the name Of good , because thy glory 's turn'd to shame : Thou art corrupt and vile in every part , And who can know the evil of thy heart ; Which like the Ocean , that no art nor eye Can search her bottom , or her banks descry : Therefore til heav'n shall please to change the state Of thy condition , Reason bids thee wait ; For be assur'd , the promis'd seed will spread It self abroad , and bruise the Serpents head . Even as the Fountain , whose exuberous brest Is always fluent , and admits no rest ; But with a cheerful willingness she sends Her Christal tokens to her smaller friends . Even so our God d●stilleth from above The healing streams of his refreshing love ; For ah the lustre of his Sun-bright eye Is drown'd in tears , when our sad Souls prove dry ! Oh admiration ! that a God so just Should rain down flouds upon a heap of dust ! Oh Mercy ! that so much incens'd a God Should send forth Mercy , and keep in his Rod ! His Soul is fill'd with pity , and his eyes Begin to view th' unsariate miseries Of Adams down-cast off-spring : Though his ear Seems unto us resolved not to hear Their bitter cries , nor note the sad Devotions Of their contristed hearts ; yet by the Motions Of his blest Soul , he sends his Son and Heir Into this wretched world , that he might bear The Cross of our Transgressions , and expel The clouds of Sin , and conquer Death and Hell : Thus by his death we liv'd , and by his grief Our new-calm'd Souls were furnisht with relief . Oh sudden change ! That winde which did before Drive wretched man upon the threatning shore Of unavoiding ruine , fills the sails Of his desires with mild and prosperous gales ; The Boreas of his sin does now surcease His full-mouth'd blasts , and Zephyrus speaks peace Unto his ship wrack'd Soul , and now he rides Upon the new-tam'd backs of pleasing Tydes . Oh that my tongue were able to rehearse The love of God with an Angelike Verse ! Oh that some Heav'nly Deity would fill The black mouth'd concave of my wandring quil With pure celestial Ink , that I might write In heav'nly characters , and learn t' indite Jehovahs praises in a style as high As my desires , and make the lofty Skie Eccho with Hallelujahs , that the Earth May ( like a Mid wife ) hug the joyful birth Of every word , and make each corner ring ( With peals of joy ) the Glories of our King : Is man deliver'd from the painful womb Of his foul sin , and raised from the tomb Of everlasting death ? and shall not we Applaud that hand which set such pris'ners free ? What , shall we be afraid to crack and break The chains of silence , and attempt to speak The dialects of Angels ? No ; let 's call Upon his name , that rais'd us from a Fall. Let 's stretch our lungs , & with a warbling breath Sing to the life , how we were rais'd from death : And when our tongues are wearied , let 's express By heav'nly signs our real thankfulness . But stay , where runs my quill ? what , have I lost My self in raptures ? or else am I tost Into the Air of pleasure by the wind Of true delight ? If passion proves so kind , I am content , Oh may I always rest Adorn'd and crown'd with a heav'n ravisht brest ! O love ineffable ! Must wretched Man , The spawn of baseness , and the unmeasur'd span Of everlasting infancy , be made Loves object ? Must th' Almighty's love be said To dwell in Man , whose tongue cannot deliver The least of thanks unto so great a Giver ? Will the Sun-gazing Eagle , that soars high , Descend t' assist the web-infolded Fly ? Will he that hearkens with a willing ear To pleasing musick , turn away to hear Confounding discords ? or will any woo A perjur'd enemy to come and go Into his Courts ? will any hand forbear To strike at him that labors to impair His worth , and contumeliously upbraid His upright deeds ? Will he that is betray'd Affect the Trayor , and with patience sue For reconcilement , when as death is due ? All this blest Heav'n will do , that he might place Vain man within the Covenant of Grace . Consider man , how often hath this Mirror Of pure affection woo'd thee from thine error ? Thou inconsiderate dust , which every winde Can puff away , how canst thou prove unkinde To such a Lover , that delights to spin His bowels out , to nourish thee within His milky bosom ? Shall his bounty crave Thy base acceptance ? Shall he be a slave To his own slaves ? Ah , shall thy God implore , And beg of beggars to receive his store ? Does he , whom Heav'n and Earth cannot contain , No nor the Heav'n of Heav'ns , stoop down to gain Thy dull respects ? And ah , wilt thou not raise Thy stupid Soul an inch to give him praise ? Thy fervent Prayers he always will admit , Then how canst thou remember to forget A God so mindful ? How canst thou forbear To numerate his love without a tear ? How can thine eyes ( when thou observ'st the Sun ) Refuse to weep , to see him daily run His painful Progress , and rejoyce to greet . The Earth with lustre to direct thy feet , Thy sinful feet , which every moment slide Into Rebellion , loaded with thy pride ; How canst thou choose , when thou behol'dst the ground Whereon thou tread'st , but voluntary drown'd Thy self in briny flouds , to think what care Indulgent Heav'n hath taken to prepare For thee , before thou wert , and how his hand Hath for thy profit , fertiliz'd the Land ? How can thy rocky heart refuse to vent A stream of bloud , when thou beholdst th'extent Of the unbounded Ocean , how it hides Within the bosom of her swelling Tydes , Diversities of Fish , which live to seed Thy gulf of gluttony at time of need ? Uncloud thy thoughts ( O Man ) and thou shalt set He who ordained all these things for thee , Created thee for him , that thou mayst give The praise to him , that lends thee leave to live . Be serious Man , consider how thou hast Converted all these blessings into waste : Know that the great Edificer of things Furnisht thy Soul with Reason , gave thee wings To fly above all mortals , and hath crown'd Thy head with heaps of Honor , and hath bound Inferior creatures , prentice to thy will ; And this he did , because thou shouldst fulfill Thy Gods Commands ; but thou that wert the best , Hast made thy self more loathsome than the rest , And by thy most derested deviation Abus'd thy glory , of thy free Creation : Though the Majestick Eagles will despise To be assistant to th' intangled Flies ; Yet Heav'n will from his lofty Throne descend And with a speedy cheerfulness defend The sons of men , who dayly are betray'd By those insidious snares which Satan lay'd T' intrap their Souls : Alas , how void of care Is heedless man ! How subject to a snare ! But he , whose more than superficial love Is always active , lab'ring to improve Our hearts with thankfulness , denies to let Our Souls be taken in th' eternal net Of unconceived misery , and live In lasting death , not having power to give The least of drops unto our howling tongues , But suck the Flames , until our sulphurous lungs Crackle , and belch forth brimstone , till we tire Our Carbonado'd members in a fire That 's inextinct ; the more we strive to turn Our parched Souls , still more and more they burn . Resolve these things within thy serious mind ; Oh Man ! let Love instruct thee to be kinde To him that 's loving ; do no disrespect A God , whose Soul so dearly can affect : Pour out thy thoughts , and practise to relent , And let thy thoughts induce thee to repent : Grasp opportunity , Time 's always flying ; God's always living , and thou always dying : Dye then , before thou dy'st , redeem the time , Because thy days are evil ; learn to clime Jacobs erected ladder ; thou shalt see Th'adst better clime a Ladder , than a Tree , As Judas did : Be wise , and do not fan Thy Soul with air ; remember what a span Thou art ; remember whose inspired breath Made thee a Soul ; forget not whose sad death Made thee alive ; be mindful that thou art Th' Epitomy of Heav'n ; inure thy heart To love the best of loves , so shall thy brest Be fill'd with comfort , and thy Soul with rest : Prepare and know , the very fowls delight To prune their wings before they take their flight . Although terrestial Kings will not permit A Traitor to his Courts , nor let him sit Before his presence , though they will not hear A Malefactors prayers ; yet Heav'ns blest ear Is always open , and his tongue invites Repentant sinners , for his eye delights To view them in his Courts when they appear ; For muddy waters , may at last prove clear ; 'T is not unlike ; ill scented dunghils may , At last bear flowers ; that which is foul to day , To morrow may prove fair ; the thing that cost Millions of silver , may as well be lost , As things of smaller value ; Heav'n can spy A mi●e , as well as mountains ; for his eye Is lodg'd in every cranny of mans heart , And he knows all , that searches every part . Where breathes that Mortal that can comprehend The ways & thoughts of God , who knows the end Of his beginning ? — He that can break a rocky heart in twain , And re-unite it ( if he please ) again ; He that can part the boiling waves , and stand Upon the Seas , as on the dryest Land ; He whose celestial power can make the graves To open , and command their slumb'ring slaves To rise ; nay more , to stand ; nay more , to walk ; Nay more ( if more than this may be ) to talk : He that can make a Whale to entertain A Jonah , and to spue him out again ; He whose almighty power can unlock The flinty bowels , of a scragged Rock , And make her headlong-gushing streams abound To wash the bosom of the thirsty ground ; He that can transmutate by power divine The poorest water into richest wine ; He that can curb rude Boreas , and asswage The lawless passion of the Oceans rage ; He that can rain down Manna to supply . The craving stomacks of mortality ; He that can , like an all-commanding God , Make Almonds flourish from a sapless rod ; He that can make the Sun and Moon stand still , Or run according to his sacred Will ; He that sav'd a Daniel from the paws Of Lyons , and can muzzle up their jaws ; He that can make the greedy Raven carry Food to his Servants like a Commissary ; He that can , with an unresisted hand , Dash fire into Ice , and counter-mand The wanton flames , & charm them , that they dare But burn his Servants cords , and not their hair ; He that can cause ten thousand to be fed With two small fishes , and five loaves of bread ; He that can cloth himself with fire , and name Himself , I AM , and make a bush to flame Without consuming ; He that can convert A Rod into a Serpent , and not hurt ; He that can make his visage shine so bright , That not a Moses can behold the light ; He that can strike a hand with leprosie , And cure it in the twinkling of an eye ; He that can in a moment cut and break Tongue-tying cords , & make the dumb to speak ; He that can out of unregarded stones Raise unto Abraham many little ones ; He that can heal the Cripple with a touch , And free him from the thraldom of his Crouch ; He that can cure the deaf , and can expel A thousand Devils in despite of Hell ; He that can perfect what he first begun , Expects that man should say , Thy Will be done . Consider man , and thou shalt find it true , Heav'n can do all , but what he will not do : Think not because thou art of low estate , That he will scorn to love , and love to hate : Remember Dives , whose unsumm'd up store Improv'd so much , until he prov'd as poor As ever Job was : Job ! unhappy I To speak it , he was rich in poverty ; Heav'n made poor Job so rich , that Satans wealth Could purchase nothing from him , but his health , And that corporeal too ; he could not boast His bargain , for 't was Job that purchas'd most . " Happy is he that can at last inherit " Riches obtain'd by an impov'rish'd spirit : " We'd better lick with Lazarus the crumbs , " Than gripe with Dives for Soul-damning sums . Wealth cannot bribe the flames , yet scraps may feed The hungry wretch ; he that has wealth ▪ may need The Crumbs of comfort : David did condole Th' abundant famine of his hungry Soul : Gods Love 's not mercenary , to be sold For brain-distracting , heart-confounding gold . Hast thou not heard ( O Man ) the heav'nly cry Of him that says , Ye that are poor , come buy , Come buy of me ; your pen'worth shall be such , That for a little you shall purchase much . Here 's Love that 's spun unto the smallest thred , Though thou want'st mony , yet thou mayst have bread Do thou but ask , thou shalt not fail to have For God's more free to give , than thou to crave : Fear not to ask of him , whose ready ear , Before thy tongue can ask , is apt to hear . Heav'n loves the language of a broken heart , And he will harken , and with joy impart His love into thee , and his milk and wine , Without the price of mony shall be thine . Th' ingrated Pris'ner , whose dull tongue is whet With sharp'ned hunger , will not fear , to let His language fly to every ear that comes Within his audience ; and he always sums The totals of his grief in hungry words , Whilst thousands pass along , but few affords The blessing of an Alms ; perhaps they 'l grieve , And seem to pity , but will not relieve : Yet will he not desist , but hourly cry , Bread , bread , for Heav'ns sake bread , or else I die . Hard hearted Man , why wilt thou not relent To hear thy Brother , almost hunger-spent , Craving thy succour ? Where 's thy love become ? Because th' art deaf , ah ! wu'dst thou have him dumb Or dost thou think , because thy panch is fill'd , He cannot hunger ? He that first distill'd Those mercies on thy head , expects that thou Shouldst feed thy Brother with a cheerful brow ; Say not thou canst not give , thy treasure's light : But let thy heart record the widows mite , So Heav'n will fill thy Cisterns to the brim , And feed thy Soul , because thou hast sed him . Should the Grandfather of true Charity Pass by the gates , and hear thee beg and cry , And not relieve thee ; should he slight thy prayers And scorn to take a survey of thy tears ; Wouldst thou not grieve , and pine thy self to dust And almost say thy God was much unjust To turn away his ears from thy complaint , And disrespect thy pray'rs , and let thee faint For want of food ? Ah , whither wouldst thou fly To feed thy famish'd Soul , should Heav'n deny ? But ah he cannot , for his melting Soul Is always free , and willing to condole The sad conditions of distressed Man , Who only strives to do , but what he can To contradict him ; yet he 'l hear our grief : In multitudes of mercies lies relief . When our impris'ned Souls peep throw the grates Of this corrupting Earth , our God dilates Himself unto us , and he sends us meat From the rich store-house of his lofty seat ; He hears ; and hearing pities ; pitying , sends ; And sending , blesses ; and with blessing ends . Even as the Sun , which every day surrounds The sublime Globe , and pries into the bounds Of this dark Center ; let his Beams reflect Upon a Molehil with as much respect As on a Mountain ; for his glorious Beams Shine always with equivalent extreams , Even so the great and powerful Three in One , That sits upon his all-inlight'ning Throne , Does not deny to let his mercy crown The poorest Peasant with as much renown As the most stateliest Emperor ; though he Invests his body with more dignity , Yet he 's but earth , and must at last decay , For Prince and Peasant go the self same way ; Their earth must turn to earth , their Souls return To him that gave them , or for ever burn ; There 's no distinction , one infused breath Made them alike , and both must live in death Or everlasting life ; both must commence Divines in Heav'n ; there 's no preheminence , But all equality , all must express , With equal Joy , their equal Happiness . Rouse up dull man , and let thy wak'ned Soul Be vigilant ; oh let thy thoughts enroul The love of God , engrave it in thy brest , That his resounding tongue may read thee blest . O let thy sighs , like Pens , and let thy tears Like Ink , transcribe the Love , th'indulgent cares Of thy Creator , that himself may find ( Within th' unblotted volume of thy mind ) Himself recorded , so will he imbrace Thy spotless Soul , and fill thee with his grace . Incline thine ears , and let th● heart rejoyce To hear the strains of his harmonious voice : Harken , and thou shalt hear his Prophets sing Th' admired Mercies of the glorious King. Thus saith the great , and ever-living One , That rules the heav'ns , & governs earth alone , 43. Thus saith the Lord , that takes delight to dwel Amongst his Saints , that formed Israel , Created Jacob , let thy sorrows flee Out of thy brest , I have redeemed thee : 'T was I that made thy clouded visage shine , And call'd thee by my Name , for thou art mine . I will be with thee , when thy feet shall wade Thorow the waters ; I will be thy aid ; I le make thee walk through Rivers , and the waves Shall prove ambitious to become thy slaves : And when thou walkest through the raging fire , Th' unruly flames shall not presume t' aspire Or kindle on thy garments . I alone The Lord thy God , and Israels holy One , And thy dear Saviour , that was always true , Gave Aegppt , Seba , and Ethiopia too , To ransome thee ; for thou wert my delight , And always pretious in my gracious sight : Honors were heapt upon thee , and thou wert The tender love of my affecting heart ; Therefore even I , that am well pleas'd , will give People for thy dear sake , that thou mayst live . Fear not , for I am with thee , and I 'le stand In thy defence , and my all-grasping hand Shall bring thy seed from the remotest places , And fill thee with my satisfying graces . 6. My tongue shall call unto the North , and say Unto the South , Give , and they shall obey ; Bring from a far my Sons and Daughters all , Hear my loud voice , be active when I call . 7 I have created them , and I proclaim They shall be call'd and honour'd by my Name . I 'le usher forth the blind , and make them see The splendent Glories of my Majestie : I le cure the deaf , and make their hearts rejoyce To hear the Ecchoes of my warbling voice . Thus hath our God unty'd the tongues , and broke His Prophets lips ; thus have his Prophets spoke : And wilt thou be ( O man ) so much obdure , As not to credit him that will assure Perpetual happiness ? Thou canst not ask That which he cannot give ; do but unmask Thy shamefac'd Soul , that so thou mayst discry Jehovahs mercies with a faithful eye : Descant upon his promises , advise With thy own thoughts , let reason make thee wise ; Inspect thy self , weigh well thy own condition , And thou shalt find thou want'st a good Physitian To cure thy maculated Soul : Alas ! Thou art like water stop'd up in a glass , So weakly fortifi'd , and fenc'd about , That one weak knock soon lets the Pris'ner out . Vain lump of vanity , what can this Earth Afford thy thoughts more than a short-liv'd mirth ? A mirth that fills thee with deluding toys , And like a Tyrant afterwards destroys . Dot'st thou on Earth ? For what ? because her pleasure Can guild thy wanton eye ? because her treasure Can cram thy bags ? because her Syrens song Can ravish thee ? because her power can throng Thy Soul with luxury ? because her charms Can court thee with delight ? because her arms Can pleasingly imbrace thee , and impost Thy heart with gold , and lull thee , when th' ast lost Thy self in sleep ? Is this the little All That this great World can boast of ? Must we call These things our pleasures ? No , they 'l prove our Our golden Fetters , and our silken Snares : These are the Joys we love , these are the things cares That make us fly with our Icarian wings Up to Ambitions Court , and there presume To gaze so long , until our waxen plume Dissolve with heat , and like presumptuous slaves Tumble our selves into the raging waves Of speedy Ruine ; Ruine's all that we Must hope t' obtain from Earths base treasurie . Let 's scorn her wealth , and say , O Earth , thou art A painted Mistress with a rotten heart : Let 's hate to love , that we may love to hate Th'unconstant glory of her fickle state . Even as the subtile Crocodile prepares Her flatt'ring heart , and eye-commanding , tears To woo her Prey to come within the power Of her command , that so she may devour With more facility , and make her jaws To execute by her tyrannike Laws : Even so this World , those Crocodile-like eyes Are always flowing , wanting no supplies Of gliding tears to wash the rugged faces Of her designs with falsifying graces , That so she may by her too smooth delusion Make Man the Author of his own confusion . Frail flesh and blood , how canst thou take delight To love this World , that cannot give a mite Of comfort to thee but will still intrap , And daily lull thee in her lustful lap . Shee 'l rock thy Soul to ruine , and shee 'l spawn Baseness into thee ; shee 'l deceive , and fawn Upon the heart , and with her guilded baits Shee 'l hook thy Soul unto the worst of fates : There 's nothing in her that deserves the name Of Constancy ; her glory is her shame . Smile at her tears , for every drop she vents Harbors ten thousand thousand discontents : Believe her not ; but when she speaks the best , Believe the worst ; and if she promise rest , Assure thy self of trouble ; if she chance To promise Treasure , let thy thoughts advance Above her promises , contemn her dross , For what thou gain'st from her will be thy loss : Let not her wealthy Donatives perswade Thy heart t' accept ; when once thou art betray'd There 's no resistance : They that well advise Before they act , deserve the name of wise : But they that study in her frantick Schools May prove her wise men ; but Heav'ns out-cast fools Ask her the way to Bliss : try if her skill Can give directions , ask her if she will Fill thee with blest Eternity , conjure Her helpless aid , see if she can assure A safety to thee , ask her if she can Prescribe a cure for a despairing Man ; Tell her thy Soul is sick , thou canst not live A minure longer ; see if shee can give A Cordial to thee , see if she can heal A broken heart ; see if she can reveal Celestial Joys unto thee , and impart A heav'nly comfort to thy grieved heart : If so , cheer up , and prosecute thy mirth , And say there is no other Heaven but Earth , Do thus ( fond Man ) and thou shalt quickly see A baffl'd World that cannot answer thee , But must be silent , for she cannot plead For her own self ; she knows she cannot lead The way to Heav'n , she 's but a bad Director , A base Believer , and a worse Protector . Thus shalt thou make her envy swell and burst , And , like the Basilisk , discover'd first , She needs must dye ; but if she should discover Thee first , farewel , th' art murder'd by thy Lover : Then shalt thou hear the Soul-amazing tone Of him that sits on his immortal Throne , Pronounce against thee at the dreadful day Of thy accounts ; thus shalt thou hear him say : Depart , ye cursed off-springs of a Father As curst as you , avoid my sight , go gather The fruits of your deserts ; you have forgot The God that made you , and I know ye not : See if the World , within whose folding arms You always slept , can quit thee from the harms That must ensue ; see if her flatt'ring power Can shelter thee , from the ore-flowing shower Of my fast-dropping rage ; see if her brest Can entertain thee with eternal rest . Be gone , be gone , my fury hates to see Such Miscreants ; had you remember'd me , I now had known you ; had you made me eat When I was forc'd to importune for meat , I now would bless you with celestial dyet , And crown your Souls with everlasting quiet : Had you but quencht my raging thirst , or gave A single drop , that very drop should save Your death-adjudged Souls , and you should sup Abundant comforts from my streaming Cup : Had you ( sad sons of vengeance ) but supply'd My nakedness with Garments , when I cry'd And calld upon your charity to send Relief unto me , I had been your friend ; Or had your ( more than marble ) hearts reliev'd M'impris ned body , now ye had not griev'd : Had you , your world-affined Souls addrest Your selves unto me when I was opprest With lingrging sickness , then I would have fed Your Souls ( which now are starv'd ) with heav'nly bread ; But since you have not done it unto those Which I esteem'd , y 'ave prov'd your selves my foes Therefore be gone , let darkness be your lot , Learn to remember that ye have forgot My mercies ; go , and let my judgments dwell Within your guilty hearts ; let black-mouth'd Hell Plague you with torments , let him always lash Your hearts with flames , until ye howl , and gnash Your teeth together ; Go , depart my sight , And taste the fruit of everlasting night . But as for you whose better deeds have found Acceptance in my heart , ye shall be crown'd With unremoved happiness , because Ye have obsequiously perform'd my Laws ; You fed my craving stomach , and you cloath'd My naked body , and you have not loath'd To visit me ; and when I was a stranger , Ye took me in , and guarded me from danger : Go then my Lambs , and let your Oratory Proclaim the greatness of your Fathers glory : Go revel in my Courts ; no discontent Shall breed a faction in my Parliament : I 'le pass an Act of Peace , and it shall be Sign'd by the hand of my Eternity . My tongue shall style you blessed , and my voice Shall raise your Souls , and teach you to rejoyce : Your unexcised pleasures shall abound To infinite ; your ravisht hearts shall sound The depth of my delights ; all things shall move Within the sphere of uncontrouled Love : Be well assur'd , your pleasures shall be great ; Then fly from Judgment to my Mercy-seat , And there rejoyce with a tryumphant mirth ; My Love shall live with them that hated Earth . Obdurate Man , here , here thou mayst descry Judgment and Mercy , one to terrifie , The other to perswade ; and yet wilt thou Prove adamantine , and refuse to bow To thy Redeemer ? Canst thou ruminate Upon his Love , and yet wilt not dilate Thy Soul unto him ? Is thy brazen heart Impenetrable ? Will no flaming dart Of true affection enter ? Hast thou vow'd To stop thy ears ? Shall mercy call aloud , And thou not hear ? Shall thund'ring Judgments rattle About thy ears , and yet wilt thou imbattle Against the Lord of Hosts ? wilt thou invoke Perpetual vengeance to entail a stroke Upon thy stubborn heart ? What , dost thou think Hell's void of flames , or that thy God will wink At thine enormities ? Go , rally all Thy thoughts together , and discreetly sall Into a serious study . — — Let thy mind Be absolute , and really enclin'd To meditation ; contradict the rage Of thine own passion : labour to asswage The fire of lust , that so thou mayst behold With more serenity , how manifold His mercies are , that every day prevents The sad incursions of deprav'd events . Think but in what a most defam'd condition The Soul was in , before the grand Physitian Of Heav'n and Earth spontaniously set down A balm from his own Gilead to crown The sons of grief : think what we did endure , Before his wounds had perfected thy cure . Remember how undauntedly he stood , And sweat himself into a crimson flood To ransom thee ; remember how his woes Were asperared by his raging foes ; Remember how his sacred temples wore A spiny Crown , remember how it tore His sublime Front ; remember how they broach'd His brest with Spears , and shamefully reproach'd His spotless fame ; remember how they nail'd His spreading hands , remember how they scal'd His Ivory Walls , remember how they spawl'd Upon his face , remember how they bawl'd And banded at his Agony , whilst he Prov'd patient Martyr to their tyranny ; Remember when he came unto the brink Of death , they gave him vinegar to drink : Nay more ( because they vowd to empty all Their poys'ned malice out ) they gave him Gall. Oh bitter deed ! Oh most abhorred Crimes ! ( Too nearly parallel'd in these our times . ) Thus having put a period to their plots , They thought it good to cast their hellish lots For his ( I dare not say mean ) clothes ; I know They were our Saviours , to whose worth we owe Perpetual thanks ; 't was his well finished breath Redeem'd our Souls from everlasting death . Here 's Love ( O man ) that does as far transcend Thy thoughts as thy deserts , that heav'n shu'd send His Son and Heir to be incarnated , And suffer death for thee , that wert as dead As sin could make thee ; 't was for thy offence He dy'd ; Ah , how , how canst thou recompence Such high-bred Favors ! Favors unexpected Deserve to be imbrac'd , and not neglected . Do not ( rash Soul ) like Cleopatra nurse Imbosom'd Vipers ; blessings prove a curse , If once abus'd ; Ingratitude cuts off Th'intail of Love ; it is a shame to scoff At Benefactors ; after thou art fed , Wilt thou contemn the hand that gave thee bread ? Wouldst thou not love that friend that should bestow A super anuated crust , and shew Respect unto thee , when the ebbing tyde Of Fortune runs so low , that thou mayst ride Upon the sands of Poverty ? Fond Man , Strive to be grateful , study how to scan The mercies of thy God ; remember how He feeds thy Soul with Manna ; learn to bow Th' unruly thoughts ; ( with admiration ) think How often , and how much imbitter'd drink Thy Saviour drank ; with what a doleful cry He beg'd of God to let that cup pass by ; But knowing that his pleasure must be done , He prov'd himself his most obedient Son. And wilt thou not ( copy wretch ) drink one poor sup Of bitter drink for him , that drank a cup To sweeten thine ? thou need'st not fear nor scorn To taste , because Heav'ns sacred Vnicorn Hath purg'd the wa'ers , and they must be sweet Except they 're reimpoys'ned by thy feet : If so , what wilt thou do ? where wilt thou find An Antidote for an invenom'd mind ? It is reported , if the Spider chance To meet the obvious Toad , they 'l both advance Their inward force , and mutually proclaim An open War ; brave Combatants of fame ! And having fummon'd their imbowel'd might , March boldly on , and both incens'd , they fight : The Toad being heavy loaded , cannot go , Or wheel about , like his encountring foe , But keeps his ground , & makes a small resistance : The Spider scorning to be kept at distance , Falls in upon him , and with nimble rage Assaults his foe , who now begins t' asswage His former fury , and would fain retreat From his small Foe , whose strength is grown too great For opposition ; being thus distress'd He crawls away , and with a crop-sick brest Seeks for relief , and by and by discries A Plantain leaf , within whose veins there lies A secret Antidote , which did at length Expel his poyson , and renew his strength : Having disgorg'd himself , he soon returns Into the Camp , where for a time he burns To be in action , and at last he sees The crafty Spider creeping by degrees To seize upon him , then his courage fails , He knows not what to do , his foe assails With all his might , constraining him to yield The conquest , and with shame to quit the field : Then he begins to seek , and hunt about , To find the soveraign healing Plantain out , Which had before reliev'd him , and supply'd His wants ; but that being gone , he burst , and dy'd Even so , if Hells black Spider chance to crawl From his infernal Web into the Hall Of this all-dusty World , he soon prepares Himself to sight , and suddenly declares , That he , the grim-look'd General of Hell , Dares to encounter any Souls that dwell Within the limits of the spacious Earth , And in a moment qualifie their mirth ; Thus Satan boasts , and if he chance to meet A single Soul , he 'l thus begin to greet . A DIALOGUE Between the Soul and Satan . Sat. SOul , th' art well met . Soul. 'T is true , for I am well . Sat. Say , whither art thou going ? Soul. Not to Hell. Sa. Pish , talk no more of that , but tel me whither Thou go , st . ; come , prithee let 's go both together . Soul. A pretty motion ; when I want a guide I 'le send for thee , till then thou art deny'd To be my Usher . Sat. Prethee tell me why Thou art so obstinate , as to deny So free a courtesie as I have shown ; Mischance oft falls to them that walk alone ; Be not so much a verse as to neglect This opportunity ; I can protect Thy feet from sliding ; dangers still attend Those that despise the favors of a friend . Sou. A friend ! how canst thou prove that title ? Sat. How ? As thus ; because I 'm willing to allow The best assistance of my ready arm To guide , nay and protect thee from all harm ; Therefore a friend . So. What you pretend to show Is but external ; he that can bestow Internal friendship on a Soul distress'd Is a true friend ; no matter for the rest . If Heav'n will guide my Soul I shal not stray , Or fear the evils of a dangerous way : But as for you , I needs must borrow leave To say , your friendship 's onely to deceive ; Con●●●ion paths your ways , and if I run By your advise , Ineeds must be undone . God bids me fly from sin if I refuse Obedience to his will , I shall abuse His just commands ; then will my sorrows cry , When Mercy stops , Judgment begins to fly . Sat. Desist ( fond Soul ) and labor to divorce Thy lips from this too fabulous discourse ; Guild not thy words with vanity , perswade These thoughts ( which are erroneous ) to evade Thy serious mind ; advise and thou shalt see My ways are best , be principl'd by me ; Let not the swing of passion strike thee down , But follow me , 't is I must give a Crown To thy deserts , 't is I that can advance Thy down-cast Soul above the reach of chance ; 'T is I ( mistaken Soul ) 't is I alone That must conduct thee to the sublime throne Of true Salvation ; 't is my hand must bring Thy trembling Soul before th'all-judging King Of Heaven and Earth ; it is my power can fill Thy heart with joy ; believe me , and I will. Trust not the babling languages of those That seem thy friends , but are thy greatest foes ; They 'r great to thy destruction , they 'l connive stories And fawn , nay almost bury thee alive ; They 'l talk of Heavn and Hell , they 'l tell thee Of endless , boundless , unconceived glories ; They 'l tell thee of Eternity , and woo Thy Soul out of thy ears , if thou ' lt bestow Thy pains to hear them ; they 'l infuse , and brew Their own designs , and tell thee all is true That they declare ; they 'l tell thee that they 're sent As Messengers from Heav'ns high Parliament . Believe me Soul , 't is I that can display The Gospels Colours better far than they ; There 's nothing in that Volume so abstruse , But I can winde and twist it to my use : And there is nothing in this world can be Stil'd worth a Work , but can be done by me : I can do all , it lies within my power To make thee poor or rich in half an hour : I can command whole Legions to attend Upon my honor : Say , what nobler friend Canst thou embrace ? I 'le be a friend to all That will give audience to my faithful call ; I 'le make them swell with riches , they shall have As much , nay if not more , than they can crave : Am I not rare , and rich , and high , and great , Incomprehensible ? Is not my seat The throne of happiness ? Yet cannot I Invite thee to my sweet eternity ? Come gentle Soul , into my twining arms , I 'le hug thee , I 'le delight thee with my charms , I 'le shew thee all my Joys , nothing shall lie Hid from the view of thy all gazing eye : Happy , beyond expression . Soul. Satan , slay The Progress of thy tongue , and give me way , That I may vent my thoughts , for you have spoke At large already ; and is this the stroke Which you intend shall wound me ? Be assur'd , The blow's but small , and well may be endur'd . Sat. What , mov'd to passion ! Is thy mind disturb'd With foul mistrust ? pray let those thoughts be curb'd ; What , dost thou think I am perfidious ? Fie ; 'T is folly to condemn before you try . Alas , alas ! what profit can accrue To me by wronging such a Soul as you ? What I express is onely for your good , But what is more than grave advice withstood ? I doubt these weak , these empty thoughts presage A tempest , guarded with a storm of rage : Well then , storm on , and when thy storm is spent , Sit down and meditate , and then repent . Soul. Repent , Oh happy word ! although exprest By a foul mouth ; those that repent are blest . How dare thy hellish lips usurp a word Fill'd with divinity , but will afford No rest , no comfort , to thy horrid Soul ? Be gone , be gone ; and if thou canst condole Thy self , thou art ( if Logick prove but true ) Curst in the Major , and the Minor too . Bless me , ô heav'n : what blust'ring stormy weather Drove such a vile prodigious Monster hither ? Touch-stone of baseness , dost thou come to prove Whether I 'm gold , or dross ? thou mayst remove Thy forward hopes , because I hope to be Metal at last for Heav'n , and not for thee . Be gone , fallacious wretch , I cannot brook Thy golden baits , I have descry'd thy hook : Father of Lyes , thy policy is built Upon the sands , and plaister'd o're with guilt : Thy tongue foretells a storm ; if so , be sure Thy sand-built policy shall not endure : Flattery 's the life of baseness , and that Art Is well imprinted in thy subtile heart : Dost thou believe that I can entertain Belief from thee ? Or dost thou think to reign Within my brest ? No , no ; thy cloudy powers Are at the best but falsifying showers : Be satisfi ▪ d , I cannot give the least Of credit to thee , nor I dare not feast My thoughts with such uncertainties ; I know Thy dyet must and will corrupt to woe . Thou bidst me not condemn , before I make Some tryal of thy trust ; If I should take Such green advice , I quickly should undo My wretched self ; and in condemning you What profit could I have ; or what relief Could I epect to mitigate my grief , My accusations would be blown as dust Before the wind ; I 'le neither try , nor trust . Sat. Nor try , nor trust ? Art thou resolv'd to cross My real motions ? Do , and see whose loss Will prove most weighty ; if I lose the heat Of thy weak love , my loss will not be great , But if I should withdraw my love from thee , How like a Map of well-drawn misery Wouldst thou appear ? be wise , corect thy thoughts Neglected favors prove the greatest faults . Take my instructions , for 't is I must bring Content unto thee ; 't is a glorious thing To be immortal : prethee Soul decline Thy former ways ; say shall I call thee mine ? Mine , mine thou art ; I 'le load thee with renown ; Let me but conquer , thou shalt wear the Crown . How pleasing are my joys ! how full of peace Are all my ways ! my glories still increase : I 'm great and good , I take delight to win Distressed Souls , and lead them from their sin ; I cannot chuse but pity those that lye Vpon the beds of sensuality ; My melting Soul is always free to give Comfort to them that study how to live . Alas , the care and trouble that I take Is more for their content , than my own sake : My gates are always open , they that venture To come to me shall ( with a welcom ) enter ; And when they call , and cry , I will appear My self unto them , and rejoyce to hear Their sad complaints ; I will not hide my face From them that seek the glory of my grace : I cannot be unconstant ; I must grieve To hear their sorrows , and I will relieve . I will be pitiful to them that trust In me alone , I cannot be unjust ; I cannot , no I cannot ; Earth shall move Sooner than I will falsifie my love : I am eternal ; they that will endeavor To gain my love , shall have my heart for ever . Soul. 'T is not your empty words shall make my brest Stoop to the flatt'ry of thy vain request ; Though I have ears to hear , I have a mind That will not shake at the hard-breathing wind Of your discourse ; what you pretend for reason Is nothing but the froth of private treason : 'T is not your multiloquious tongue can turn The Biass of my Soul , or make me spurn At Holy Writ ; 't is not your fond conceit Of being good , shall make me to retreat From Heav'ns Commands ; 't is not your promis'd joys Can make me chearful ; or your painted toys Can lure me to your fist ; 't is not the dart Of your vain love can penetrate my heart ; 'T is not your seeming clemency can make My Soul to love you , for your Pities sake ; 'T is not your always-open gates that shall Entice my steps to your large Guilded Hall ; 'T is not your self-appearance shall invite My well-composed thoughts to your delight ; 'T is not your greatness that shall make me yield To your desires ; Religion is my shield : I le neither fear nor love your rash evasions , Nor give attendance to your smooth perswasions : ' Nis difficult to serve two Masters well ; Who strays from Heav'n , must needs approach to Hell. I am advis'd to shun the broad-path'd ways That lead to ruine ; what the Scripture says I must believe ; 't is dangerous to fly Without the wings of true Divinity : The Scriptures are my way , my light , my guide , And they that go without them needs must slide : The paths are strait in which I ought to run The course of grace , until my days are done ; And they that change a Vertue for a Vice , Deserve no fruit from Heav'ns blest Paradise . Sat. Surcease those fond conceits , thou dost but spin Thine own destruction , and connive at sin : Urge not the Scriptures , for I dare maintain My paths are best , and other ways are vain : Thy Scripture - conscience will at last confound Th' amazed thoughts , and give thy Soul a wound That hates a cure , then shalt thou prove unblest , Whilst others find the plainest Road's the best . Suppose thou wert ( I speak it for thy sake ) Mov'd by occasions , forc'd to undertake A long-way'd journey , wouldst thou not enquire The readiest way , but run into the mire ? If thou shouldst act a crime so fouly bad , Folly would style thee fool , and Wisdom mad . Stray not into the Wilderness of grief , But come to me , take courage and be brief In thy designs ; perswade thy self , that I Am both thy light , thy way , and best supply In time of need ; I am thy prop , thy stay ; Therefore resolve , and trifle not away Thy thriftless Soul ; be not thy self destroyer ; I 'le be thy Love , and thou my Loves enjoyer : Know that my real brest contrives no end , But what may merit so divine a friend As thine own self : folly and wisdom lies Before thy face ; be either fool , or wise : Protract no time , but make a speedy choice , Thy welfare shall instruct me to rejoyce ; Observe my actions , pry it to my parts , Let 's know each other by exchange of hearts ; I 'le give thee mine , and for my love restore Thine unto me ; grant this , I le ask no more . Be free to give , as I am free to crave ; Th'adst better live my friend , than die my slave : For if thou shalt deny what I desire , I 'le make my bellows to advance the fire Of thy distress , and sorrows shall corrode Thy stubborn heart , and care shall make abode Within thy brest ; perpetuated grief Shall find a voice , but ramble from relief . I 'le gripe thee , till I make thee understand The fiery language of my furious hand : Sighings , and groanings , sobs , and rears , and cries Shall be thy sad Concomitants ; thine eyes Shall stare upon ( well may I call them new And horrid ) Lights , such Lights as shall renew Thy growing torments ; every thing shal be Thy fellow-slaves in servile miserie : I 'le yoke thee with distress , nay , and I 'le chain Thy struggling Soul with everlasting pain ; I 'le crow'd thee full of sorrows , and I 'le double Thy unconceived , uncontrouled trouble , Whilst I , triumphing I , will sit aloft , And be ador'd , and scoff to see thee scoft : Pity shal be a stranger to my brest ; My care shal be to make thy Soul unblest ; The tydes of woe shall overflow thy thoughts , And be equivalent unto thy faults ; Be sure , that what extremity can be Thought worth the using , shall be us'd on thee : Now I have spoke , if thou wilt not repent , I 'le cease to speak , and study to torment . Sou. How full of poyson's every word that flows Out of thy mouth ? what trust can I repose In such a flatterrer ? I dare not try , Or throw my self upon thy courtesie : I know thou canst not answer my request ; There is no truth in a self-praising brest . If I should dive into the deep abyss Of thy black thoughts , what glory , or what bliss Should I discern ? Or if I should deliver My heart to thee , thou'dst disrespect the giver ; Though at the first perhaps thou wouldst express A seeming-unbeseeming thankfulness , Yet at the last I know thou would decline Thy promis'd ways , and style me to be thine . Fair words find eafie passage , they proceed But from the tongue , th' event stil crowns the deed Three things denote a friend ; first to conceal A secret speech ; the next is to reveal A private good ; the ●ast , is to advise The safest way t' obtain an enterprise And he that can do this , as you pretend , Deserves the title of a real friend : But my Religion tutors me to say , ( Nay and affirm , ) You neither can , nor may ; I 'm sure it is ( if reason dare prove true ) One thing to speak , another thing to do . Your words are ayry messengers , which fly Into my ears , and there enroul a Lye ; Many untruths have broken the common Goal Of thy foul mouth ; thou sayst thon canst prevail To make me glorious , aud thou canst encrease My joys , and crown me with eternal peace : Thou sayst th' art good and great , & that thy paths Lead to Salvation ; thou declar'st thy Laws To be most just ; if all these things be true , I needs must call the Scriptures false , or you ; Truth bids me tell thee boldly , when thou cry'st Th' art great , and good , and rich , and rare , thou lyst : If thou art good , and great , pray tell me why Thou wilt behold so vile a wretch as I ? These things bespeak thee humble , unto which Thou plead'st not guilty ; and if thou art rich , How can it be , that thou wilt condescend To feed my wants , that am so poor a friend ? Strange is that charity , which seems to shine From such a diabolick brest as thine . If my belief could keep an equal pace With my swift tongue , how ful of Faith & Grace Should I appear ? Such Faith as would devast My wanton Soul , and make mee weep as fast It is impossible to find a Sion That has no Governor , except a Lyon. The Souls Petition to God. Oh Heav'n , I crave that thou wouldst keep me stil From this most vile Progenitor of Ill : Suffer him not t'infold me in his arms , Or overcome me with his wanton charms ; Oh make my heart obdure that he may knock Upon my Soul , as on a marble Rock ; Be thou my Fort , and then I shall endure His furious On sets , and repose secure ; Give me thy Grace , that I may be content ; Make me as strong , as he is impudent . Now let the spring-tyde of thy fierce desires Flow to the height , thou shalt not quench my fires Know Satan , know , my heart reserves no place For thy abode , I scorn thee to thy face ; The well-dy'd colours of my Soul declares Defiance to thee , and my brest prepares To give thee battle ; strike , I rear thee not ; Who 's arm'd with Faith , needs fear no Cannon sho Sat. What impious tongue is that which dares defie My power with so much boldnes ? So. Wretch , 't is I ; 'T is I ( infernal Traytor ) that will spend My strength to prove thou art flatt'ring feind . Sat. Move me to anger , do , and thou shalt find A courteous friend at last may prove unkind : Have I not woo'd thee almost night and day To goe to Heaven ? Sou. The quite contrary way . Sat. Have I not labour'd like a watchful father To nourish thee ? Sou. Or like a Devil rather . Sat. Have I not always taken great delight ? Sou. To take away good gold , and give me light . Sat. How much nocturnal and diurnal care Have I sustain'd for thee ? Sou. True , t' insnare . Sat. Have I not been assiduous to await Upon thy pleasure ? Sou. and corrupt my state . Sat. Have I not proffer'd all that can be given To a sick Soul ? Sou. To drive my Soul from Heaven San. Did I not promise to be true and just ? Sou. Did I not say , I 'de neither try nor trust ? Sat. Did I not promise that I 'de make thee wise ? Sou. Did I not say thou wert compos'd of lies ? Sat. Did I not promise to encrease thy store ? So. Did I not say such wealth would make me poor Sat. Did I not promise to advance thy fame ? Sou. Did I not say thy honors were thy shame ? Sat. Did I not promise to uphold thy peace ? Sou. Did I not say such wars would never cease ? Sat. Did I not promise thee a Crown of life ? Sou. Did I not say that Crown would Crown my Sat. Did I not promise thee eternal glory ? ( strife ? Sou. Did I not say that promise was a story ? Sat. Did I not promise I would give thee all ? Sou. Did I not say such promises were small ? Sat Did I not tell thee I was great and good ? Sou. Did I not answer 't was in shedding blood ? Sat. Did I not tell thee that my ways were best ? Sou. Did I not answer that they were unblest ? Sat. Did I not tel thee that thou shouldst have joy ? Sou. Did I not answer such as would destroy ? Sat. Did I not tell thee that I did lament ? Sou. Did I not answer that I was content ? Sat. Did I not tell thee what a friend I 'd prove ? Sou. Did I not answer that I could not love ? Sat. Thus by fair terms I labour'd to obtain , Sou. Thus in foul terms I told thee 't was in vain . Sat. Then I began to threaten thee with grief , Sou. And then I fled to Heav'n , and found relief . Sat. I threatened to afflict thee with large pains , Sou. I told thee such afflictions were my gains . Sat. I told thee more than now I will express , Sou. My answers made thee wish I had spoke less . Sat. But now I see my real words can find No rest within the Center of thy mind ; For 't is in vain to sow the seeds of life In a dead heart that is manur'd with strife : I 'le therefore cease my importuning love , I 'le shew my Serpent , and keep close my Dove . Do , do thy worst , vile wretch , I le make thee know Griefs abstract , and the quintessence of woe ; I 'le load thee with extremities , thy brest Shall always crave , but find no place of rest : Had but my grave advice receiv'd a place Within thy heart , thou hadst been fil'd with grace ; But now the inundations of thy trouble Shall overflow thee , and I will redouble My new-contrived plagues ; I 'le make thee feel My melting heart is now transform'd to steel : Thy tongue shall ( like a bolt of thunder ) roul And roar within thy mouth ; thy sulphurous Soul Shall flash forth lightning , and thy blood-red eyes Shall blaze like Comets in the troubled Skies : Thy teeth shall gnash , as if they scorn'd to be Concomitants in so much misery ; Oh how I 'le carbonado every part , And fill thy body with increasing smart ; Thy Soul shall lure for death , but that shall hate To pierch upon thee , and contemn thy state : Life shall be still incroaching , but thy breath Shall scorn that life , and hate it unto death ; Thy flesh shall drop forth brimston , and thy bones Shall court each other in their crackling tones ; Horror shall be thy watchman , curses shall Possess thy rongue , one torment still shall call Upon another ; when thy voice shall cry But for a drop ; Confusion shall reply , No , no , thou shalt not , if a golden Myne Could buy a drop , that drop should not be thine : Then shalt thou say , if thou hadst been at first Advis'd by me , thou hadst not been accurst : Thus in this sad Dilemma shalt thou roar , And crave my succour , but I 'le not deplore Thy woful state , because thou wert averse To goodness , after folly comes a curse : Then shalt thou know and find I will exile All thoughts of pity , and I 'le rather smile Than grieve at thy distress ; ah know 't is bard To force an entrance where the gates are bar'd : Fond Soul , be serious , let thy thoughts reflect On my indulgency , and give respect Unto my clemency ; believe I will Be good to thee , do but forsake thy ill ; Forsake , forsake that evil which will turn To thy destruction ; do not , do not burn The precious fuel of thy chaste desires In idle , wanton , all-consuming fires , The post of time is swift , and knows no stay ; 'T is time to go when Reason calls away : Protraction's dangerous ; it is not good To strive with that which scorns to be withstood . Then do not thou procrastinate , but take This opportunity , do but forsake Thy former ways , and readily incline Thy self to me , and I will make thee shine With so much lustre , that all eyes shall gaze Upon thy brightness , and admire with praise : Oh may my language reach thee too believe , That so my torments may not make thee grieve In utter darkness , that thou mayst imbrace Those glories , which adorn my peaceful place : Repent , ( dear Soul ) repent what thou hast done , Then call me Father , and I 'le love my son : Thus having told thee all , I 'le here desist ; Be thou more apt to yield than to resist . Sou. I find , I find you first in flict a wound , And then with balsome strive to make it sound : You make me smile at first , but after groan ; One hand incloses bread , the other stone ; I fain would take the bread , but that I stand In fear and danger of the stony hand : Therefore , to shun all danger , I 'le despise Your fond advice , and practise to be wise : If all should prove , that you have told me , true , I know the best and worst that thou canst do ; As for your threatnings , they shall not disturb My peaceful thoughts , my faith shall be their curb : Urge me no mote , but let me rest in quiet , Strong is that stomack can digest thy dyet . Sat. And is it so ? will no perswasions work Upon thy thoughts ? Those pregnant crimes that lurk Within thy brest , will , like to Scorpions , gnaw Thy groaning heart ; such sorrow knows no Law ; But since thou wilt not be advis'd , expect To find reward , as I have found neglect . Ah , why fond wretch , why dost thou thus provide Thy feeble self to strive against the tyde ? Alas , alas ! why art thou lull'd asleep In follies Lap ? Rouze up for shame , and weep For thine infirmities ; be not thus cross To him that would preserve thee from a Loss : 'T is time to cast away the works of night , And cloath thee with the shining robes of light . Sou. If your strong Oratory had the skill To make me yield to your unsatiate will , It were enough ; what more could you desire , Than a bad period to your bad desire ? But stay ( bold friend ) I 'le meditate and see What fruit will spring from thine infernal tree . Sat. What , must I stay ( vile wretch ) till you dispute And prove the goodness of my pleasing fruit ? Must I be always waiting on the train Of your desires , and spend my time in vain ? No , no , I will not : for it is unfit I should attend , if you will not submit ; Th' incensed fury of my spirits burn To be in action , I will not adjourn A minute longer ; go , and hug thy vice , Thou lov'st the bargain , but abhor'st the price : Urge me no more , away , I have forgot All thoughts of friendship , and I know thee not : And here I leave thee to the Lawless power Of thine own passion ; Cursed be that hour That brought thee forth ; if all this will not do , May all men curse thee , and I 'le curse thee too . Sou. And can the spring of thy affections find So soon an Autumn ? Canst thou be unkind With so much ease ? and can your real brest ( As you so call 't ) be so soon dispossest Of Love and Patience ? Oh how bad and strange Is the effect of such a sudden change ! 'T is disputable , for I know not whether Anger , or ' policy , or both together , Wharst thee to these extreams : well then pursue Thine own desires , and I will bid adieu To all thy follies ; yet my heart begun T' expand it self before the glim'ring Sun Of thy perswasions ; if thy sharp'ned rage Had not so soon exploded me the stage , I fear , I fear , I had before this hour Been prostituted to thy tameless power : Be gone , be gone ; but stay , hark Satan , hark , Go boast you shot , but fairly miss'd the mark . Sat. Why dost thou bid me go ? I m sure you speak ( As I have done ) in jest , thou wilt not break The bonds of friendship ; though thou hast exprest Thy self in anger , yet thou ar● in jest : Those good conceits that live in th'inner places Of my close heart , tels me th' art fill'd with graces : But there is none that can proclaim and cry They 're free from rage , no not so much as I : When I am angry , then my heart is pleas'd , Because I 'm satisfy'd ; my mind is eas'd Of a most pressing load , which seems to tire And waste me with a brest-consuming fire . " A wise mans ear must always entertain " Things spoke in passion to be void and vain : " The tongue's a restless member , and oft-times " Out-runs the wit , and then it flyes and climbs Above all sense : " When Reason finds divorce , " The tongue proves subject to a headlong course . What I have spoke observe , and thou shalt find Proceeded from my passion , not my mind : The misconstruction of a word may make The dearest friends to vary , and forsake The plains of friendship , tho' their hearts are free From the curst evils of inconstancy : Therefore mistake me not , nor do not thou Construe my words with an incensed brow ; Smile on me then , and cheerfully impart The loving childings of a friendly heart ; Then shalt thou see with what a willing arm I will conduct and guide thee from all harm ; Believe me Soul , I am not come to scatter Uncertain stories , but a real matter ; What I hold forth unto thee , is the stem Of a pure heart , thou art the only Jem Shall grow upon it ; come , and let 's combine , I shall rejoyce to see thee prove divine . Sou. The Biass of thy Love runs now so strong , That I much fear 't will not continue long ; I find , I find thou hast the art to sail With any wind ; thou labour'st to prevail , But 't is in vain , for know , I trust thee not , My zealous heart is fearful of a plot ; I cannot be so foolish as to trust Without assurance that thou wilt be just : Wilt thou be true ? Speak with a real breath . Sat. I will be just ( believe me ) unto death ; I will , I will ; oh may I never be True to my self , it I am false to thee . Sou. If thou art just and constant , tel me where Thy seat is plac'd , and who is Prince of th' air ; Be true in this , and thou shalt find that I , According to thy answer , wil reply . Sat. I 'le tell thee then ( because I 'le now fulfil The vast desires of thy enquiring will ) Where my refulgent Seat is plac't ; prepare Thy ears to hear , I 'le speedily declare . The large extent of my unbounded grace Cannot be comprehended in one place , Because I am immortal , unconfin'd To time or place ; I live in every mind That 's truly real , and not disagreeing To my known Laws ; I have no local Being : The World 's a spacious Body , I the Soul Which lives in every part compleat and whole : Thus this dispute is easily decided , For what 's immortal cannot be divided . Nay more , because I 'le fill thee with content , I say I 'm Prince of every Element , Therefore of air : Now if thou canst enquire Any thing more , I 'le answer thy desire . Sou. Before I suffer my swist thoughts to slide Into more questions , I 'le be satisfi'd In what is past : If so it be , you have No local Being , how then will you save Those Hosts of Souls which you intend shall be Seal'd with the Signet of Eternity ? Did you not tell me , that your peaceful Seat Was rich , sublime , ( and without measure ) great ? If thus it be , as 't is exprest by you , 'T is more than strange that 't is not local too ; Clear but this doubt , and thou shalt quickly find Those duties that attend an honest mind Flow from my brest , till then I 'le rest in peace , As you perform , so shall my Love encrease . Sat. Ambiguous Soul , why dost thou thus connive At thine own follies ? Why dost thou deprive Thy self of comfort , comforts that will heal Th'exulcerous sores of thy distemper'd weal ? Why art thou thus inquisitive ? the thing That thou desir'st to know ( if known ) will bring Small satisfaction to thy dubious brest ; He 's wise enough that knows he shall be blest ; If you enquire in such a doubtful case , You l loose your rest in seeking out the place : Surcease thy thoughts , and do not proudly knock Thy self in peices , now thou knowst the rock ; Pry not too sarl et secret things alone , My Zodiack has more signs than must be known ; 'T is not the Heav'n of Heavn's that can contain Me , the Creator , and my glorious train ; I am even what I please and what I will be Even where I will. So. Where 's that ? Sa. what 's that to thee The knowledge of my seat does no way tend To thy salvation , therefore cease to spend Such fruitless thoughts , cast by this needless care , Learn to know what I am , no matter where . Sou. I must confess , it is not good to pry In things that suit not the capacity ; But seeing 't was your pleasure to express So much of friendship , I made bold t' address My self unto you ; pardon then my crimes , You know that wisest men may doubt sometimes : Your weights are light , or else your courage fails , You have not strength enough to turn the scales Of my affections , yet you had almost Droven my ill man'd ship upon your Coast , The winds of your perswasions rage and roar Within my brest , I cannot find a shoar For my desires ; I 'm tost from wave to wave , And am become a most distracted slave ; Those heavenly thoughts which formerly frequenred The closet of my brest are now prevented By base bred fancies , fancies that arise From a soul brain , and makes me to despise Almost my self ; I know not what to do , I dare not , oh I dare not yield to you ; And yet I hardly can believe thou wilt Burthen thy conscience with so foul a guilt As to betray me , sure thou art morekind Than to abuse a well-affected mind ; But yet I dare not trust a Soul pursuer , Because thou kil'st when thou pretend'st to cure . I reel , I reel ( if not sustain'd ) I shall Receive a sudden and a deadly fall ; What shall I do in this deplor'd condition ? I fear , I fear I 've lost my best Physitian : Try Satan , try , and see what may be done For a sick Soul , that foolishly has run Beyond it self ; oh see what thou canst do To give me ease , and then I 'le call the true . Sat. Now Soul I love thee ; rouze , bid grief depart Thou hast the symptomes of an honest heart : Me thinks I could , with much content , afford To say thou speak'st a Christian at a word ; Cheer up , and know that many troubles wait Upon the changes of an ancient State ; The work of Reformation always brings Trouble at first , but afterwards it sings Anthems of Peace , whose fortunate event Will more than countervail thy discontent . He that has spent the treasure of his days Under one Roof , has reason to dispraise The troubles of removing ; yet at last ( When his defatigating cares are past ) He may declare himself to be a debter To fortune , and confess that Life the better . Even so mayst thou ( dear Soul ) hereafter say , Blest be that hand which led thee from the way And paths of Ignorance , although at first [ 'T is often known , beginnings are the worst ] Thou feel'st a private nakedness within , Because thou hast uncloath'd thy self of sin : Although , I must confess there cannot be A vacuum in Nature , yet in thee There is an emptiness , and must be still , For what is empty , craves a time to fill : If he whose stomach hath sustain'd the rage Of sharp'ning hunger , should at first asswage His appetite with fulness , would it not Produce a surfeit , and impose a blot Upon his wisdom , raising such a strife Within his Microcosmus , that his life Would be endanger'd ; therefore learn by rote , That moderation is the chiefest note ; In all my Gammut , none can sing so high A note as moderation , only I. If I should let thee make too large a meal Of my rich joyes at first , I should reveal Too much of folly ; for it thou shouldst take A surfeit at the first , it needs must make Thee fear , nay hate , to entertain my diet ; 'T is better far to spare at first than riot : Moreover , should I let thee taste thy fill At first , I know the reins of thy fierce will Would scorn a hand , 't is dangerous to trust ; Presumptions spur can never want for rust : Come Soul , let reason rule thee , do not stain Thy well-dy'd judgment , 't is a greater pain To fear , than sufler ; come , I long to see Thee wanton with mee in Eternitie ; Then doubt no more , resolve , and let 's away , There is no greater grief than to delay A happiness ; be well inform'd of this , Procrastination is a foe to Bliss . Sou. Thy words imposthumate my heart , I feel A greater pain than ever Ixions wheel Knew how t' inflict , extremities still crowd Into my thoughts ; my sorrows call aloud , And none will hear ; what shall I do ; for I Unworthy am to live , unfit to dye ; Except th' all ruling power above will please T'inspect my Soul , and furnish me with ease , To whose blest ears I 'le recommend my suit , My sorrows will not let my tongue be mute . Great Auditor of groans , oh let my cries , My sighs , my tears , invite thy eares , thine eyes To hear , and view me ; for I must confess , My crimes are great , and I am nothing less Than what is least ; alas ! and nothing better Than what is worst , oh pardon me thy debter : I 'm rost with grief , and know not where to fleer My shipwrack'd self , but still my fins appear Before my face , whose looks almost affright , And make me start into eternal night : What shall I do ? or whether shall I flee , That am an alien ( Lord ) except to thee ? From thee I cannot , and I am too vile To come unto thee , having made a spoyl Of those most sacred mercies , which thy hand Confer'd upon me ; there is no command But I have broke ; yet gracious Lord , I know That thy abounding mercies can o'reflow My sand excelling sins , which cannot lie Absconded from thine all-surveying eye . With shame I must confess the subtile art Of Satan hath impoysoned my heart ; Oh I am sick to death , I swell , I burst , Never was any Soul so much accurst . There 's none but thee , thou sacred Antidote Can cure my grief , be therefore pleas'd to note My sad condition , let my sorrows lye Before thy face , oh hear me when I cry ; Grant me the shield of Faith , that I may stand In opposition to the powerful hand Of active Satan , weaken ( Lord ) his power And add unto my strength ; let every hour Afford new mercies , mercies that may sail Into my brest , ah should my Foe prevail , Oh , then I perish , shorten ( Lord ) his chain And lengthen out my patience , oh make vain His fierce attempts , that he my feel , and see When he is strongest , I 'm as strong as he , Then shall my lips extol thee , and proclaim The greatness of thy glory , and his shame . Give but thy grace unto me ( Lord ) and then Say what thou wilt , my tongue shall say Amen . Let everlasting plagues and horror dwell Within so fit a soul , let black-mouth'd Hell Remove his scituation , and take An everlasting Lease , oh let him make A Ten'ment of thee ; dost thou think that I Will hear thy prayers ? oh no , I scorn thee , fye Away , begon — Sou. What voice is this , that makes this bold intrusion Into my ears and grumbles out confusion ? Me thinks I see a storm-portending cloud , Bowel'd with thunder , and I hear a loud And horrid noyse , a noyse that will confound A wel-prepared ear , to hear the sound ; Who would not quake at such a voice as this That roars forth Malice with an Emphasis ? My thoughts are interrupted , and amazement , Flashes like Lightning through the brittle casement Of my ill glased-brest ; it cannot be The voice of Heav'n , a God so pure as he Hates to be envious , malice cannot spring From such a good and ( Love-composed ) King : Although his voice ( made terrible ) oft-times By the addition of mans dayly crimes Thunders against a sinner , yet his breath Can take no pleasure in a sinners death . Hereafter ( Lord ) when malice finds a voice To speak , my understanding shall rejoyce , In knowing who it is , this heart of mine Shall never quake at any voice but thine ; Then let hels deep-mouth'd blood-hound , roar and thunder I le neither fear , nor love , nor quake , nor wonder . For 't is not strange to hear a Lyon roare That wants his prey , the more he has , the more He seeks for more , imploying still his power In seeking how , and whom he may devour : Know therefore Sathan , that I am prepar'd To meet thee , and I will not be out-dar'd ; 'T is not thy false malicious tongue shall tempt My heart to love , no , nor thy rage exempt My thoughts from heav'n , although thy craft still For opportunity to stop good works ; When I compose my self , and strive to pray , lurks Thou seek'st to turn my thoughts another way . Thou great corrupter of Diviner parts , Thou watchful thief that steal'st into the hearts Of silly mortals , think not to devour My armed heart , with thy pursuing power . Sat. Wil nothing move thee ? wilt thou stil mistrust If fair means will not move thee , foul means must . What dost thou think , my arm is grown so short It cannot reach thee ? dost thou think to sport With my commands ? say , thou imperious mite Who gave thee being , who created light , Who made the Heav'ns , the Earth , the Sea , reply Audacious wretch , speak , was it thee , or I ? Thou vain contender , dost thou think to gain By striving with me , any thing but pain , Oh no , thou shalt not , for I 'le still renew Thy pinching sorrows : therefore bid adieu To all thy comforts , for thou shalt no more Injoy those blessings thou injoy'dst before , Oh how thy horrid tongue shall roar and cry With Dives for a drop , but no supply Shall dare t' appear ; the more thou crav'st , the less Thou shalt be heard , for nothing shall express The least of pleasure to thy per-boyl'd heart , Thy chiefest food shall be perpetual smart . Be well assured that thy ears , thy eyes Shall hear , nor see , nought but extremities , Be gon , be gon , my fury hates delay , Hell , and Damnation be thy lot , away . Sou. Experience makes me understand thou art A lively actor , of a deadly part , I find the greatness of your swelling rage ; Your Prologue speaks 't would be a bloudy stage If you might act as King , but Heav'n prevent The cursed plots of your accurst intent ; I fear thee not , because I know thy power Is limitted , and thou canst nor devour Without commission , therefore do thy worst , And let thy envy swell until it burst And fall to nothing , my Creator gives Me faith to say that my Redeemer lives , And will protect me from the rage of those That are my known and secret deadly Foes . Thy thundring words shall not make me complying For he 's unwise that dyes for fear of dying ; Thus being guarded with the shield of grace I 'le spit defyance in thine impious face . Thou art a Lyon , and thou seek'st for blood How bad 's that soul that dares to think thee good ; Urge me no more , cashiere thy fruitless trouble , The more thou strivst , the more I le strive to double My resolutions , for I dare not venture To rest my heart on such a bloudy center , Oh no I dare not ; he that shall let go , A certain friend , for a most certain foe , Justly deserves , to have no other same , But what reproach can build upon his name ; Should I permit my rambling thoughts to glance Upon thy love , the Plea of Ignorance Could not be prevalent , because 't is known Unto the blest-united three in one That I ( by his assistance ) have descry'd Thy real flatt'ry , and thy humble pride ; I dare affirm no greater pride can be Than that that 's acted with humility , But here I 'le stop , and leave thee to inherit Th' effects of a diabolique spirit . Sat. Accursed Caitiffe , dost thou think to scape The fury of my hand , or make a rape Upon my goodness ? no , the Sun and Moon Shall stop their usual progresses as soon As I will change my mind ; Vengeance is mine And I 'le repay it , on that Soul of thine . Be gon , be gon , expect thy sudden doom , It is thy sins give punishment a room : Let everlasting Plagues , and horrour dwell Within so fit a Soul ; let black-mouth'd Hell Remove his scituation , and so take A still continuing Lease , on her him make A ten'ment of thee , dost thou think that I Will hear thy prayers ? oh no I scorn thee , fie Away , begon — Sou. If words could kill , I had been ere this time Worded to death , but now I hope to clime Above the reach of words in thy despight , Where thou mayst grumble at me , but not bite . Even as the surly blood-desiring Dog Ty'd with a chain , or loaded with a clog Growes fiercer with restraint , and stands in awe Of nothing but his Master , to whose Law He must submit and keep within his list ; For fear will not permit him to resist : But if some wandring passenger should chance To walk along , he quickly would advance His watchful head , and running to and fro From place to place , he tuggs but cannot go Beyond his bounds , but labors still in vain ( With fruitless bring of his senseless chain ) To free himself , but when he finds his strength Is not sufficient to out-go the length Of his well-fastned chain , he soon divides His sharp fang'd jawes , and bauls until his sides And lungs are weary , then he runs the round Until he layes himself upon the ground : Where he remaineth much displeas'd and vext , Seeming to threaten ruine to the next . So thou ( hels ty'd-dog ) if thou couldst but strain And quit thy self from heav'ns fast-holding chain What Soul should scape thy jaws , or be possest Of lasting peace , or comfortable rest ? How sad , how miserable had it been For patient Job , had but thy power been seen Upon his heart ; but Heaven that will controul In spight of malice , chain'd thee from his soul : Alas , alas ! Thy chain is not so long , To reach a soul , not is thy power so strong To break it at thy pleasure , thou mayst baul And bark forth envy , but not hurt at all ; If thou art God [ as thou pretendest ] why , Why dost thou suffer such a thing as I T' expostulate so long , and dost not show Thy Judgements in my speedy overthrow ? Sat. It is my goodness , and not thy desert That breeds forbearance in my tender heart , Alas , alas , what honour would accrue To me in conquering such a thing as you , I could within a moments time asswage , ( But that my clemency out-vies my rage ) Thy swelling fury , for I could discharge Vollies of wrath , and easily inlarge They restless torments , I could make thee run ( Like morning mists before the rising Sun ) Out of my presence , If I should but say The word be gon , alas thou couldst not stay , But ah , I cannot , for I hate to harm , Love guids my strength , & that strength guids my arm . Even as the Shepherd with bedewed locks Watches the feeding of his harmless flocks For fear the bold-fac'd Wolf should chance to peep Into the coasts of his beloved sheep , And like a lawless Tyrant , soon commence ( Against those Emblems , of pure innocence ) A bloody action , which would soon incite The Shepherds grief , to see so sad a sight , So I th' eternal Shepherd daily watch My wel-fed lambs , for fear Hels wolf should catch Or fright ( not being fearful to be bold ) My gentle flocks from their delightful fold ; I am beloved , and mine own , will own My sacred Name , my voice is not unknown Unto my sheep , they always will be all Firmly obedient to my cheerful call , For which obedience they shall find reward Nay such a one , as always shall accord To their desires , thrice happy shall they be In truly calling , and in owning me To be their Shepherd , nothing can more please M'indulgent soul , than such dear flocks as these , I will preserve them , and no wolf shall dare To seize upon them , or presume to tear Their downy fleeces , nothing shall be nearer Unto my heart , and nothing shall be dearer In my affections , for I will affect Even where , and when I finde a true respect . Sou. What strange contusions hath thy language bred Within my serious thoughts ? how hast thou fed My ears with flatteries , but it is in vain ; Because my heart hath vow'd not to retain Thy sain'd expressions , nothing shall remove My Love from God , nor nothing make me love Thy wretched self ; then be content , and cease To urge my mind , or interrupt my Peace . Go , do thy worst , and when that worst is done Sit down as wisely , as thou hast begun . Sat. Art thou resolv'd ? Well then , let vengeance Upon thy cursed head , be gon , thou mite ( Nay less ) of goodness , go , make haste t' inherit light Those plagues that wait upon so damn'd a spirit . Sou. May this be call ▪ d a farewell , if it be , The self same farewell must attend on thee ; I hate , nay , scorn to bid farewell to you , 'T is charity enough to bid , adieu . The Souls Thankfulness , and Request to God. MOst gracious God , I having lately felt The fervor of thy mercies , needs must melt Into a thankfulness , Ah should I be Ungrateful to so blest a God as thee 'T were pity , ah 't were pity , that the ayr Should give me breath , or thy fierce hand forbear To through me headlong to the deep abyss Of speedy ruine , where no comfort is : Oh glorious Lord , be pleased to inflame My heart with raptures , to extol thy Name ; Alas I 'm weak , and if thou shouldst deny Thy aid , nothing could be more weak than I. If thou wilt help me , I shall be so strong That nothing can prevail to do me wrong . Lord , I am blind , oh therefore let thy light Expel those clouds , that thus eclipse my sight ; Be thou my guid , my strength , my sight , my way , Or else ( being weak ) I shall , or fall , or stray ; Oh leave me not , but as thou hast begun To shew me mercy , let thy mercy run With my desires , and grant that I may be A true forgetter of all things , but thee : And rather than I should forget thy call , Oh let me have no memory at all ; Wean me , oh wean me from this nursing earth , Make it my sorrow , and thy Throne my mirth . Let every morning make me know , and say Thy Lawes are Just , or let me know no day ; Let every ev'ning , make me take delight In thy commands , or let me know no night . Inspire my heart [ O God ] and make it glad Always in thee , or make it always sad ; If thou afflict'st me , make me understand , Thou hast a storming , and a calming hand ; If Poverty oppress me , whilst I live , Oh let thy mercy send me friends to give ; Or if thy goodness please to send me store , Oh give me grace to think I may be poor . It matters not , O Lord , how poor I be Vnto the World , if I am rich to thee : If I am hungry , ô be thou my meat , If I am weary , ô be thou my seat ; Or if I feast , O Lord be thou my guest ; If I am restless , Lord be thou my rest ; If I am thirsty , Lord , be thou my spring ; If I am subject , Lord , be thou my King ; If I have Vertue , make me dote upon her ; If Honourable , be thou my Honor : And if I cannot know that which I would , Be pleas'd to make me know , Lord , what I should ; Then shall my ready lips express and show I know no more , than thou wu'dst have me know . My unty'd tongue shall evermore proclaim Th'attendant glories of thy sacred Name . Divine Ejaculations . 1. GReat God , whose Scepter rules the Earth , Distil thy fear into my heart , That being rapt with holy mirth , I may proclaim how good thou art , Open my lips , that I may sing , Full praises to my God , my King. Ejaculation 2. Lord , make the torments we endure The Symptomes of thy Love , not wrath ; Thou art our Chiron , we thy cure Our Crime 's , our sores , thy blood 's our bath ; O we are weak , be thou as strong ; How long O Lord ; O Lord , how long ? Ejaculation 3. Just Judge of Earth , in whom we trust , Make sharp thy sword , and bend thy bow , Consume the wicked ; save the Just , For thou the Reins , and heart dost know : Then shall our tongues sing forth thy praise , And praise thy justice all our days . Ejaculat. 4. Lord , teach us timely how to pray , And give us patience to expect ; Thou hatest sin ; Oh guide our way ; Judge thou our Eoes : The Just protect : Then shall the wicked fall with shame , And we will sing that love thy name . Ejaculat. 5. Great Son of the eternal God , To whom the world subjected lyes , Break not , but breed us with thy rod : O we are foolish , make us wise : And if thy wrath begin to flame , Wee 'l seek protection in thy Name . Ejaculat 6. Lord , if our enemies encrease , And we invoke , bow down thine ear ; Be thou our shield , and make our peace , And we will scorn what worldlings fear . Great God of health , great Lord of rest , O make us thine , and we are blest . Ejaculat. 7. Thou righteous Hearer of Requests , Make void the counsels of th'unjust ; Send peace into our trembling brests , And fill our hearts with fear and trust : If thou wilt make thy face to shine , Let others joy in corn and wine . Ejaculat. 8. Lord , thou whose equal hand allays The poor mans grief , whose help thou art , Encline my heart to give thee praise , And I will praise thee with my heart : For sake me not ; for , Lord I trust , As men are cruel , thou art just . Ejaculat. 9. Lord , crush my Lyon-hearted Foes , Rout them that seek to ruine me ; Rise up , O God , forget not those Whose wrongs refer their cause to thee : Or if the wicked must oppress , Be thou not far from my distress . Ejaculat. 10. Great God , thy Garden is defac'd , The Weeds do thrive , thy Flowers decay ; O call to mind thy promise past , Restore thou them , cut these away : Till then , let not the weeds have power To starve or taint the poorest Flower . Ejaculat. 11. Lord , leave us not too long a space ; O view our griefs , and hear our pray'r , Clear thou our eyes , unvail thy face , Lest Foes presume , and we despair . Lord , make thy mercy our repose , And we will sing amidst thy Foes . Ejaculat 12. Lord , teach me to renown thy Name , Which through the World is so renown'd : Let man thy glorious works proclaim , Whose head with glory thou hast crown'd . As Beasts to men subjected be , So Lord subject mans heart to thee . Ejaculat. 13. In all extreams , Lord , thou art still The Mount whereto my hopes do flee ; O make my soul derest all Ill , Because so much abhor'd by thee , Lord , let thy gracious tryals show That I am just , or make me so . Ejaculat. 14. Great God , whom Fools deny , how dare Our lips request thy glorious eyes ! If thou but see , thou canst not spare , And what thou seest thou must despise . Lord , make us hear thy saying voice , Then may'st thou see , and we rejoyce . Ejaculat. 15. Lord , cleanse my heart , and guide my tongue , Preserve my lips from false deceit ; Protect my hands from doing wrong , Teach whom to love and whom to hate : Instruct me how to take and give ; Lord , grant me this , and I shall live . Ejaculat. 16. Lord , teach my Reins , that in the night My tutor'd Reins , may tutor me ; And keep me always in thy sight , For in thy sight all pleasure be : Let not my soul in darkness stray , O thou my life , O thou my way . Ejaculat. 17. Behold my Right , and right my wrongs Thou Saviour of all those that trust ; O I am weak , my Foes are strong , Lord thou art gracious , thou art just . O make me rightly prize this life , And let thy glory be my strife . Ejaculat. 18. Great God , my strength , at whose command Whil'st I serve thee all creatures serve me , Protect me from my Foe mans hand ; O , as thou hast preserv'd , preserve me : With peaceful conquest crown my days , And I will crown thy power with praise . Ejaculat. 19. Great God , the work of whose high hands The glory of thy Name declare , How perfect sweet are thy Commands ! How purely just thy Precepts are ! Cleanse all my sins , clear every spot , Both open , secret , known , forgot . Ejaculat. 20. Accept , O God , my holy fires , Lead thou our Armies , give success , Bless our designs , grant our desires ; O hear and help in our distress : Preserv'd by thee , we shall prevail , When Chariots flee , and horses fail . Ejaculat. 21. O God , whose Judgments are severe , And mercies full of sweet compassion , Scourge thou thy Foes , save those that fear , Ravish my Soul with thy Salvation ; And I will spend my joyful days In Psalms of thanks , and Songs of praise . Ejaculat. 22. My Jesus , thou that wert no less Than God , and yet with men forlorn , Earths Comforter , yet comfortless , Heavens Glory , yet to men a scorn . What thanks shall I return to thee , That wert all this , and more for me ! Ejaculation 23. Great Shepherd of my Soul , thy hand Both gives me food , and guides my way ; Subject my will to thy command , And I shall never starve , nor stray . If thou wilt keep me in thy sight , Thy House shall be my whole delight . Ejaculat. 24. Lord , purge my heart , and cleanse my hand , Direct my tongue , and guide my will ; For nothing that 's unclean can stand Within thy great , thy glorious Hill. Lift up my heart , deprest with sin , And let the King of Glory in . Ejaculat. 25. Lord , guide my footsteps in thy truth , And let thy grace be my repose ; Forgive the frailties of my youth , And free me from my causeless Foes : Redeem thine Israel from their hand , And bring me to thy promis'd Land. Ejaculat. 26. Lord , keep me just and judg my right , Prove thou my reins , and try my heart ; O make thy Temple my delight , And fix my dwelling where thou art : Redeem my Soul , confirm my ways , And give me power to give thee praise . Ejaculat. 27. My God , whose fear drives fear away , Shew me the beauty of thy House ; Preserve me in the evil day , That I may sing and pay my vows . Lord , grant me fear , and guard my path ; Give patience , and with patience , Faith. Ejaculat. 28. O God , be thou my living Rock , Whereto my restless soul may fly : Blest be thy Name , when I invoke , Thou hear'st my suit and send'st supply . My Foes confound , or else convert Or weaken , that they may not hurt . Ejaculat. 29. Shall Mountain , Desert , Beast , and Tree , Yield to that heavenly Voice of thine , And shall that voice not startle me , Nor stir this stone , this heart of mine ? No , Lord ; till thou new-bore mine ear Thy Voice is lost , I cannot hear . Ejaculat. 30. Lord , let the evening of my grief Be followed with a morning joy ; Hear thou my cry , and send relief , That tak'st no pleasure to destroy : If thou wilt lengthen out my days , Their task shall be to sing thy praise . Ejaculat. 31. Lord , thou ' that hoord'st thy grace for those That love and fear thy sacred Name , Redeem me from my conqu'ring Foes , And vindicate my trust from shame : Give me fair Conquest at the end , Till then , true courage to attend . Ejaculat. 32. Let my confession launce my sore , And let forgiveness cure my wound ; Lord , teach me early to implore , For I am lost till thou art found : Then shall my joyful Songs express Thy praises , and my thankfulness . Ejaculat. 33. Great Lord of Wonders , thou by whom My heart was fram'd and form'd alone , From whose high Power all powers come , That didst but say , and it was done ; Appoint the remnant of my days To see thy Power , and sing thy praise . Ejaculat. 34. Lord , let the Sun-shine of thy face So clear mine eyes , so cleanse my heart , That being season'd with thy grace , My soul may taste how sweet thou art . O let thy mercy make me just , And then my heart shall fear and trust . Ejaculat. 35. Lord plead my cause , and right my wrong , And take my Snarers in their snare ; O be not from me , Lord , too long , Lest they triumph , and I despair . Let all my foes be cloth'd with shame , Whilst I sing praises to thy Name . Ejaculat. 36. Fountain of Light , and living breath , Whose mercies never fail nor fade , Fill me with life that hath no death , Fill me with light that hath no shade : Confound the proud in their pretence , And let thy wings be my defence . Ejaculat. 37. Be thou my Trust , my God , and I , When sinners thrive , will not repine ; Or if my wants should want supply , I will not fret , I will not whine : What if their wealth , my wants , increase , They shall have plagues at last , I peace . Ejaculat. 38. Lord , in thy wrath correct me not , For I confess and hate my sin ; My flesh consumes , my bones do rot , I 've pains without , and pangs within . O thou that art the God of rest , Release my sin , relieve my brest . Ejaculat. 39. Lord , curb my tongue , and make me see How few my days , how short their length : Incline my heart to trust in thee ; Remove thy scourge , or give me strength : I am a Pilgrim , hear my cry , And send some comfort e're I dye . Ejaculat. 40. Lord , thou whose mercies do exceed , O fill my language with thy praise , Stand thou my Helper at my need , Confound the wicked in their ways : Be thou my comfort in my grief , And crown my patience with relief . Ejaculat. 41. Lord , if thy pleasure make me poor , Thou wilt bless them that give me bread ; If thy sick hand hath scourg'd me sore , That hand that struck will make my bed . Sustain me , Lord , be thou my store , I shall be neither sick nor poor . Ejaculat. 42. My God , full tears are all the dyet That seed my sad , my drooping brest : In my distress , in my disquiet , Be thou my Stay , be thou my Rest : Be thou my God in my relief , And I will triumph in my grief . Ejaculat. 43. Lord , right my wrongs , and plead my right Against all those that seek my Ill ; O let thy perfect Truth and light Conduct me to thy holy Hill : Then shall thy Altar make relation Of thy due praise , and my Salvation . Ejaculat. 44. Lord , our fore-fathers found redress In all their frights , in all their fears ; Wilt thou be dumb to my distress , And not my God , as well as theirs ? Redeem my Soul whose loyal knee Ne're bow'd to any God , but thee , Ejaculat. 45. Great Bridegroom , fill thy dearest Spouse With outward glory , inward graces ; May she forget her fathers house , And only cling to thy embraces : Affect her heart with Love and Duty , And then take pleasure in her beauty . Ejaculat. 46. Lord , help me when my griefs do call , In my distress O be thou near ; Then if earth change , or mountains fall , I will not faint , I will not fear . Shew me thy wonders , and inflame My heart to magnifie thy Name . Ejaculat. 47. Lord , let thy Judgments fill all those That love thy Mount with joy and mirth ; Confound and crush all Sions Foes , Sion the glory of the Earth : Let all that love thy Sions glory , Recount her State , repeat her Story . Ejaculat. 48. Lord , teach me wisely to contemn All goods that transitory be , Let me not stand possest of them , If they be not possest in thee . If I be wealthy , and nor wise , I live but like a beast that dyes . Ejaculat. 49. Lord God of Gods , before whose Throne Stand fire and storms , O what shall we Return to Heav'n that is our own , When all the world belongs to thee ! We have no offering to impart , But praises , and a wounded heart . Ejaculat. 50. Lord , if thy mercies purge my heart , Conceiv'd in lust , and born in sin , Breath truth into my inward part , Renew me a firm spirit within : Then let thy goodness not detest The ruines of a broken brest . Ejaculat. 51. Let others boast in gold , and prize Ev'l more than good , and love deceit , Thy mercies ▪ Lord , are my supplies , And on thy Name will I await . Lord , let thy Mercies still inure My brest to love the thing that 's pure : Ejaculat. 52. Lord , if thou take away thy hand , How all compos'd of fears are we ! What arm can save ? what strength can stand ? When man , poor man 's forsook by thee ? Lord , keep my faith in thee unshaken , For thou forsak'st not till forsaken . Ejaculat. 53. Lord , let thy name secure and free My threat'ned Soul from all my foes ; Stand thou with them that stand for me , Support all these , suppress all those : Then shall my Soul division run Upon thy praise till time be done . Ejaculat. 54. Hearer of prayers , confound my Foes , That bruise my tortur'd Soul to dust : In man , alas , there 's no repose ; Foes have no pity , friends no trust . My trust is in thy word , which says , They shall not live out half their days . Ejaculat. 55. O God , the malice of my Foes Encreaseth daily more and more ; But Lord , thou art my safe repose , Thou art my strength , thou art my store : Be thou my gracious God , and then I will not fear the pow'r of men . Ejaculat. 56. Be gracious , Lord , unto my grief , For in thy shadow do I trust ; O send me plentiful relief , For thou art merciful and Just ; Then shall my spirits utter forth Twi-light Hosanna's to thy worth . Ejaculat. 57. Lord , keep me from those hearts and tongues That practice mischief from the womb ; Weigh right to them that weigh us wrongs , And let confusion be their doom ; But let the just be fill'd with mirth , And fear that God that rules the earth . Ejaculat. 58. Lord , save me from my Foes ; make void Their plots , and all their Counsels vain ; For ever let them be destroy'd , For in thy hand my hopes remain : And I will always spend my days In Hymns of thanks , and Songs of praise . Ejaculat. 59. Lord , though we feel the bitter taste Os thy displeasure for a while ; Yet thou art gracious , and at last Thy angry brow that frown'd will smile . Oh when that storm is over-blown , Thou 'lt trample those that tread us down . Ejaculat. 60. Lord , hear my troubled voice , and bring My Soul to that sweet Rock of Rest ; Protect all those that strive to sing Thy praises with a cheerful brest : Let comfort with our years increase , That we may praise thy name in peace . Ejaculat. 61. Lord God , from whom all mercy springs , Instruct my hopes to wait on thee ; Teach me what vain and fruitless things The helps of what is earthly be . All strength belongs to thee alone , 'T is thou , my God , must help , or none . Ejaculat. 62. Lord , how I long to see thy face , That I might spend me in thy praise ; Thou art my glory in disgrace ; Sustain my steps , direct my ways : Thou art my refuge ; when oprrest With grief , my joy ; with toyl , my rest . Ejaculat. 63. Lord , hide me from my bloody Foes For in thy goodness do I trust ; Protect my sought-for life from those That shoot in secret for the just . So then shall I that fear thy Name Have cause of glory , they of shame . Ejaculat. 64. Thou gracious Hearer of Requests , Hide all my sins behind thy merits ; Shower down thy Spirit into our brests , And drop thy Grace into our Spirits ; That from our Faith rich works may spring , And give us cause to shout and sing . Ejaculat. 65. Lord , if thy flame must needs be felt , Let us be purged in that flame ; Let our rebellious spirits melt Into the praises of thy Name ; That we being tutor'd , and kept under , May fear with Love , and love with Wonder . Ejaculat. 66. Lord , let thy favour still inflame Our light'ned hearts to walk thy ways , That all the World may praise thy Name , And all the Earth may sing thy praise ; So fructifie our hearts , that we May bless thy Name being blest by thee . Ejaculat. 67. Lord , rise in power within mine heart , And chase my sins , thy Foes , and mine , Then shall I see thee as thou art , In Glory great , in Power divine . So I , more white than Snow , shall sing Thy ways , and praise my God , my King. Ejaculat. 68. To that sweet Lamb , which did sustain Grief above weight , Pain above measure ; Whose stripes , and scoffs , and grief , and pain , Were only purchas'd by our pleasure . Be Honor , Glory , Praises , given By Souls on Earth , by Saints in Heaven . Ejaculat. 69. Let shame be their due recompence . That seek to wound my Soul with shame ; Be thou their help and strong defence , That seek thee , Lord , and love thy Name . Make haste , O God , for I do waste My Soul with grief ; O God , make haste . Ejaculat. 70. Lord , thou that underneath thy wing Didst keep me in , and from the womb , Assist my age , that it may sing Thy praise in ages yet to come . Preserve my Soul , protect my name ; Shame be to them that seek my shame Ejaculat. 71. Great Prince of peace , whose Kingdome brings Justice , Redemption , power , and peace , That bends the knees and hearts of Kings , And fill'st all Nations with encrease , All praises , Honour , Glory , be Ascrib'd alone , great Prince , to thee . Ejaculat. 72. O God , whose dreadful Voice , like Thunder , Affrights the Earth , and shakes the Air , Whose Works and Ways are full of wonder , That hear'st my plaints , and grant'st my pray'r . Forsake me not , but when I stray , O let thy Crook reform my way . Ejaculat. 73. O thou , whose mercy did begin Before all Time , unty'd to Times , As thou forgav'st our Fathers Sin , Be likewise gracious to our Crimes : Th' art now a God , as well as then And we as they no more than men . Ejaculat. 74. O God , the Sion of my Soul Is wholly deso ate and waste , Where thou shouldst rule , my lusts controul ; O Lord , relieve ; O God , make haste : Then shall my heart and tongue proclaim Eternal praises to thy Name . Ejaculat. 75. Glorious Creator , once more shine On this our poor distressed Land ; Defend , and dress thy fading Vine , And bless the man of thy right hand : Let thy Free-grace inflame our hearts , And we will sing thy praise in parts . Ejaculat. 76. O God , our Song , our Strength , whose hand Hath broke our Bonds , and set us free , Incline our hearts to thy Command , And we will own no God but thee ; Conduct and feed us as thy Flock , And give us honey from thy * Rock . Ejaculat. 77. Direct , O God , the Judges brest , Preserve his hand●s , his eyes upright That he may vindicate th' opprest , And guardhim from injurious might : O let him know that he shall be , As Judge of others , judg'd by thee . Ejaculat. 78. Lord , cast thine eyes upon thy Foes , Confound their Troops , that are combin'd Against thy Flock , , which thou hast chose , Make them like chaff before the wind : Defeat their Plots with sudden shame , That they may seek Jehovah's Name . Ejaculat. 79. Lord , teach mine Eyes , my Will , my Heart , To see , to choose , and to desire Thy beauteous Courts , wherein thou art ; O fill my thoughts with holy fire . Be thou my Sun , whose glorious Rayes May light my Soul to sing thy praise . Ejaculat. 80. O God , remit thy Peoples Sin , And shew the Sun-shine of thy face , Repress thy fury , and begin , T' inspire us with thy saving Grace ; That Righteousness and truth may meet , And light our hearts , and lead our feet . Ejaculat. 81. Great Spring , from whence all mercy flows To them that trust and love thy Name , Give me thy strength , and then my Foes Shall see thy greatness , and their shame : Be thou my Way , my Truth , my Light , So shall I live and die upright . Ejaculat. 82. Sim , the glory of the Earth , And subject of my holy Passion , May all the Well-springs of my mirth Be founded upon thy foundation : Of all delights I wish no other , Than to be Son to such a Mother . Ejaculat. 83. Lord , let thy fury cease to burn , Or else my Soul must cease to be ; Can praises issue from the Urn ? What thanks can ashes give to thee ? Enough , if thou but undertake me , Let death surprise , let friends forsake me . Ejaculat. 84. Lord , thou whose mercy fails not those That build their trust upon thy Name , Protect my Soul from all my Foes , Then shall my tongue thy worth proclaim : So shall the remnant of my days Be crown'd in Peace , and thou with Praise . Ejaculat. 85. Eternal God , before whose Eyes A thousand years seem as a day , Direct our hearts , and make us wise To use that time we cannot stay : Send joy in our sad hearts , and bless Our prosperous actions with success . Ejaculat. 86. Though thousands here , ten thousand there , Do daily fall before mine eye , I will not faint , I will not fear , Beneath the wings of the most High : Let me be guarded , Lord , by thee , Then I 'le not fear , nor faint , nor flee . Ejaculat. 87. Lord , purge my Soul , that I may learn To read my fortunes by thy hand ; Let my instructed Soul discern , That worldly bliss is not thy brand . Lord , in thy Mercy make me thine , I have enough , shower thou , or shine . Ejaculat. 88. Great Monarch of the World , disclose Thy Power , and make thy Glory known ; Out-flood the floods of all my Foes , And in my heart fix thou thy Throne : Plant Holiness within my brest , O Lord , my strength , O God , my rest . Ejaculat. 89. Just God of Vengeance , cast an eye Upon my poor afflicted brest ; O send me help , O hear my cry , And let thy comforts be my rest : Suppress my Foes , and set me free , That have no Hope , no Help but thee . Ejaculat. 90. Great God of Gods , Great King of Kings , From whom , by whom we live , we be , In whom my Soul her triumph sings , To whom alone bowes every knee : Teach me thy way ; thy Will 's my Feast , Thy Crook my Guide , thy Fold my Rest . Ejaculat. 91. Lord , let our Jesus , and thy Christ , Be all the subject of our mirth , Let Satans power be dismist , And let him rule , and judge the earth : Then , then Eternal Peace shall be Return'd to us , and praise to thee . Ejaculat. 92. Great King of Glory , who art drest In Clothes of Clouds , in Robes of Fire , Make evil hateful to my brest , Then shall I love thee most intire : Then shall my bosome reap that light Which thou hast sown for the upright . Ejaculat. 93. Great God of Wonders , that dost ope The Gate of Life to our glad days , And found'st a help beyond all hope , O give us mouths to give thee praise ; So guide our ways , just Judge , that we May joyfully be judg'd by thee . Ejaculat. 94. Great God , whose promise is to hear , Whose practise is to pardon Sin , Let my petitions find an ear , And cleanse my leprous Soul within . Thou , Lord , art holy , teach my heart To sing thy praises as thou art . Ejaculat. 95. Eternal Maker , grant that we May praise thee with a chearful heart ; Guide thou our ways , and let us be The sheep , where thou the Shepherd art : For , Lord , thy truth is always sure , And thy great Mercy shall endure . Ejaculat. 96. Lord , teach my heart to walk upright In publique rev'rence , private fear ; Keep thou the humble in thy sight , And to the proud be thou severe : Then shall thy Saints in triumph show Thy Mercy , and thy Justice too . Ejaculat. 97. O God , how poor a thing is man ! Begot in sin , and born in sorrow ; Our breath 's a blast , our life a span , But here to day , and gone to morrow . How needfnl , Lord , is thy support ! Our days are bad , our times are short . Ejaculat. 98. O thou , within whose tender brest Full streams of sweet compassion flow , Whose Mercies cannnot be exprest By Saints above , or Men below ; My Soul shall praise , my heart shall bless That goodness , tongues cannot express . Ejaculat. 99. Lord , every creature writes a story . Of thy full Majesty and Might , The contemplation of whose Glory Shall always be my hearts delight : Accept that praise my Soul can give , And it shall praise thee while I live . Ejaculat. 100. Dear God , the Pharaoh of our Souls Afflicts the Isr'el of our hearts ; Where thou shoulds govern , he controuls ; What thou command'st his power thwarts : Confound his strength , and let thy hand Conduct us to the promis'd land . Ejaculat. 101. Lord , shouldst thou punish every sin , Or strike as oft as we offend , How quickly would our plagues begin ! How soon this sinful world would end ! But Lord , thy tender Mercies stand Within the gap , and hold thy hand . Ejaculat. 102. Lord let thy wonders , and thy ways , Inflame my heart , my tongue , my pen , That pen , and tongue , and heart may praise Thy Name before the Sons of men . Look where I list , high , low , or under , I see to learn , and learn to wonder . Ejaculat. 103. O Lord whose mercies , and whose paths Transcend th' expressions of my tongue Instruct my heart to keep thy lawes And I will praise thee in my Song . Lend me thy pow'r , or strengthen mine , And I will crush my Foes , and thine . Ejaculat. 104. O thou that sit'st in Heaven , and seest My deeds without , my thoughts within , Be thou my Prince , be thou my Priest , Command my Soul , and cure my sin : How bitter my afflictions be , I care not , so I rise in thee . Ejaculat. 105. Lord , teach my humble eyes the art To see aright , and hands to do , Then will I praise thee with my heart In publique , and in private too : Set thou thy fear in all my ways To make me wise , to give thee praise . Ejaculat. 106. Lord , plant thy fear before mine eyes , For in thy fear my Soul is blest ; Thy Fear 's that Spring , from whence arise My Crown , my Treasure , and my Rest . What fear I , fearing thee ? and what Not fearing thee , Lord , fear I not ? Ejaculat. 107. Highest of Highests , that dost raise The poor and needy from the dung , Advance my thoughts to give thee praise , And Lord , unty my stam'ring tongue : So shall my heart and tongue proclaim Rare Halelujahs to thy Name . Ejaculat. 108. O God , the Mountains and the Seas Confess thee , Lord of Sea and Land , They quake and tremble , if thou please To shew the power of thy hand : So shall my heart , when thou think'st good , To turn my flint into a flood . Ejaculat. 109. Lord , teach our loyal hearts to build Their constant hopes upon thy hand ; Thou art our Help , thou art our Shield , Wherein our hopes of safety stand : Send down thy blessings , and then we Will send all praises up to thee . Ejaculat. 110. My God , thy mercies so abound , That every minute speaks their story ; They have no limits , have no bound ; Ours are the comforts , thine the glory : And what thy mercy more displays , Thou art contented with our praise . Ejaculat. 111. Surpassing Lord , whose mercies have surpast The limits of the worlds expression , Whose truth continues firm and fast To thy elect , and their succession . To thee perpetual praise be given By Saints on Earth , and Souls in Heav'n . Ejaculat. 112. Good God! thy mercy and thy might What heart conceives ? What tongue can tell ? Thou fillest my darkness with thy light , And hast redeem'd my Soul from Hell. Thou art my God , thou onely art The strength , and musick of my heart . Ejaculat. 113. O God thy Law 's a field , in which The fruitful seed of life is sown ; No seed so rare , no soil so rich ; It renders infinite for one . O God , how fair these fields appear ! O God , what pearls are buried he re ! Ejaculat. 114. Great God , whose ever-wakeful eye Doth never slumber , never close , Teach all my dangers to rely Upon thy help , their safe repose : Be thou my shade , be thou my stay , I will not fear by night , by day . Ejaculat. 115. Lord let the fire of my true zeal Unto thy house for ever flame , Where let my thanks , and praise reveal The hidden honour of thy Name . Let Sions glory still increase , And bless her walls with plenteous peace . Ejaculat. 116. O God to whom thy thoughts direct Their constant hopes , and hopeful cries , Let not my Soul in vain expect For mercy , from such gracious eyes : Maintain thine honour ; 'T is not me The proud contemn , Great God , but thee . Ejaculat. 117. Lord give me a believing heart , Though wanting strength I fear not man , If thou be pleas'd to take my part , Let malice do the worst it can . Although insnar'd I will not fear , For thou art stronger than a snare . Ejaculat. 118. Give me the heart , O God to trust , And lead my Footsteps in thy ways ; Quell thou the power of the unjust , That righteous hearts may give thee praise . Do good to good men , and encrease Their number , plenty , and their peace . Ejaculat. 119. Lord , we are Captives , and we bow To Satans burthen every hour , We sow in tears , oh when wilt thou With joy requite the weary sower ? So bless my labors that I may , With comfort long to see that day . Ejaculat. 120. What I possess , or what I crave Brings no content great God , to me , If what I would , or what I crave Be not possest , and blest in thee . What I enjoy , oh make it mine In making me , that have it , Thine . Ejaculat. 121. Lord , plant thy fears within my brest , That I may walk thy perfect ways ; Then shall I prosper and be blest In all my deeds , in all my days : Then shall I see the fair encrease , Of Sions glory , Israels peace . Ejaculat. 122. Lord since there must be always Foes T' afflict the Souls of flesh and blood , Let mine be such as do oppose Thy Churches peace , thy Sions good : Then let that righteous arm of thine , Confound , or cure thy foes , and mine . Ejaculat. 123. Hearer of prayers , O whom should I Implore , but thee , in my distress , For mercy harbors in thine eye , And thou art fill'd with righteousness . To thee , O God , my hopes shall flee , My Soul expects no help but thee . Ejaculat. 124. Lord if mine eyes should look too high , Or ranc'rous heart begin to swell , Break thou the tumor , curb mine eye , Lest one grow fierce , the other fell . So shall my Soul grow wise , and flee From her own strength , and trust in thee . Ejaculat. 125. Lord let mine eyes not sleep until I build thy Temple in my brest , Take pleasure then , and make it still The chosen Palace of thy rest : Let all her foes be trodden down , And let thy Glory be her Crown . Ejaculat. 126. Lord we are several members joyn'd To make one whole , whose head thou art , Let all our thoughts but make one mind , And give one body , but one heart . United Souls of Saints appear The sweetest musick in thine ear . Ejaculat. 127. Light thou the Lamps , great God , that they Light'ned by thee may give us light , Let their bright lustre drive away All darkness from thy Courts by night ; Bless us and them , that they : and we May bless thy name , first blest by thee . Ejaculat. 128. Let every wonder that I see In Heav'n , and Earth , and in the Seas , Advance some honour , Lord , to thee That didst , and canst do , what thou please , Let others worship wood and stone , My Soul shall bless thee , Lord , alone . Ejaculat. 129. Good God , where e're I cast mine eye , On Earth beneath , or Heaven above , I see thy goodness , and I spy Perpetual pledges of thy love . Thy favors through the world extend , And of thy mercy is no end . Ejaculat. 130. Lord , if my tongue , and busie quill Be not in Sions praise imploy'd , Then let my hand forget her skill And be my tongue for ever ty'd ; Thy praise shall be my chief delight Whilst tongue can speak , or hand can write . Ejaculat. 131. Kindle O Lord , my love with zeal , Light my affections with thy flame ; Give my tongue courage to reveal The secret glory of thy name . Be thou my God , in all distress , And let thy hand be my redress . Ejaculat. 132. Lord , thou that mad'st me , and dost pry Into the secrets of my heart , From whose all presence none can fly Nor hide them there , but where thou art , Inform my Soul , inflame my brest , And lead me to eternal Rest . Ejaculat. 133. Lord keep me from my self that am The greatest Foe , I need to fear ; O cover thou my face with shame And give my sins no dwelling here . Subdue my flesh ; and then my spirit , Shall sing the praises of thy merit . Ejaculat. 134. Lord when my grief shall find a tongue To cry for help , find thou an ear , Whilst others seek to do me wrong , Make thou O God my conscience clear . In those self-snares they have prepar'd Let my insnarers be insnar'd . Ejaculat. 135. When winter fortunes cloud the brows Of summer friends ; when eyes grow strange , When plighted faith forget their vowes , When Earth , and all things in it change , O Lord thy mercies fail me never , Where once thou lov'st , thou lov'st for ever . Ejaculat. 136. Judge not my actions by the Laws , For then my sorrows are but just , But let thy mercies plead my ●●●se , For in thy mercy is my trust . Those that oppose my Soul , oppose ; I am thy servant , they thy foes . Ejaculat. 137. What is there , Lord , what is in me To hope for safety from thy power ? What help can I expect from thee , That merit vengeance every hour ? How great so e're my sins have bin , Thy mercy's greater than my sin . Ejaculat. 138. Great God , whose Kingdome hath no end , Into whose secrets none can dive , Whose mercy none can apprehend , Whose Justice none can feel , and live , What my dull heart cannot aspire To know , Lord , teach me to admire . Ejaculat. 139. O Lord my Judgment 's dark , and blind , It cannot judge 'twixt good , and ill , My will is captiv'd and confin'd , It wants a freedome how to will , Great Lord of power , great God of might Release my bands , restore my sight . Ejaculat. 140. Great God whose goodness doth repleat , And fill our Coasts with full encrease , That feed'st us with the fat of wheat , And glad'st thy Sion with thy peace . How more than others are our days Extreamly bound to give thee praise . Ejaculat. 141. Shall frost and snow give praise to thee , And shall my Soul not bear a part ? Lord frost and snow appear to be Not half so cold as is my heart . Shine glorious Sun , thy beams but felt , My frost will thaw , my snow will melt . Ejaculat. 142. Great God to whom all praise belongs Whom Sion fings , and Israel fears , O stop those lusts that stop our tongues And fright thy glory from our ears . Do thou enlarge what flesh retains , And bind those Kings , our lusts , in chains . Ejaculat. 143. Lord season my unsavory sprite And bridle my too head-strong will , That I may always take delight In acting good , and shunning ill . O give me grace to understand , My life is always in thy hand . Ejaculat. 144. Direct my steps , Lord , be my way , And make thy paths my sole delight , That like a traveller I may Not fail to rest with thee at night , O me , how happy , and how blest , ( Lord ) should I be in such a Rest ! Ejaculat. 145. Lord , let the morning of my grief , Find out a night of lasting pleasure , Thou art the God of my relief , In poverty , thou art my treasure . I care not , Lord , how poor I be Unto the world , if rich to thee . Ejaculat. 146. Lord let thy sacred fire thaw The Ice of my hard-frozen zeal , And let thy will be my known Law , So shall my heart , thy worth reveal , And with a halalujous Song My tongue shall praise thee all day long . Ejaculat. 147. Great King of Peace , be pleas'd to send Thy peace to our distemper'd Land , O we are bad , reach us t' amend , And let not ruine be our brand , Then shall our lavish lips deliver . Our thanks in Peace , to our Peace-giver . Ejaculat. 148. If it be so that we must fight , Lord make our crimes to prove our Foes , For thou ( our God ) dost take delight , To see such pleasant Wars as those . O may such wars as these encrease , Until our conquests end in Peace . Ejaculat. 149. Lord let the praises of thy Power , Advance the power of thy praises , Let every day , let every hour , Praise thee till hours fail , and days . To thee all power and praise be given , By Saints on Earth , by Souls in Heaven . THE END . Notes, typically marginal, from the original text Notes for div A56850-e6070 Isa . Notes for div A56850-e42830 * Psal . 81. 16. 
A52174	----	Spiritual songs, or, Songs of praise to Almighty God upon several occasions Together with the Song of Songs which is Solomons: [F]irst turn'd, then par[ap]hrased in English verse. To which may be added, Penitential cries. Mason, John, 1646?-1694. 1699 Approx. 182 KB of XML-encoded text transcribed from 77 1-bit group-IV TIFF page images. Text Creation Partnership, Ann Arbor, MI ; Oxford (UK) : 2006-06 (EEBO-TCP Phase 1). A52174 Wing M922A ESTC R217649 99829304 99829304 33741 This keyboarded and encoded edition of the work described above is co-owned by the institutions providing financial support to the Early English Books Online Text Creation Partnership. This Phase I text is available for reuse, according to the terms of Creative Commons 0 1.0 Universal . The text can be copied, modified, distributed and performed, even for commercial purposes, all without asking permission. Early English books online. (EEBO-TCP ; phase 1, no. A52174) Transcribed from: (Early English Books Online ; image set 33741) Images scanned from microfilm: (Early English books, 1641-1700 ; 1918:2) Spiritual songs, or, Songs of praise to Almighty God upon several occasions Together with the Song of Songs which is Solomons: [F]irst turn'd, then par[ap]hrased in English verse. To which may be added, Penitential cries. Mason, John, 1646?-1694. The sixth edition corrected. With an addition of a sacred poem on Dives and Lazarus. [8], 112, 20, [4] p. printed for Tho. Parkhurst, at the Bible and Three Crowns, at the lower end of Cheap-side, near Mercers Chappel, London : 1699. In verse, without music. Attributed to John Mason by Wing. "Dives and Lazarus" has caption title and separate pagination; the register is continuous. Running title reads: The song of songs which is Solomons. With two final leaves of advertisements. Title page is stained and torn, affecting text. Reproduction of the original in the British Library. 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Understanding these processes should make clear that, while the overall quality of TCP data is very good, some errors will remain and some readable characters will be marked as illegible. Users should bear in mind that in all likelihood such instances will never have been looked at by a TCP editor. The texts were encoded and linked to page images in accordance with level 4 of the TEI in Libraries guidelines. Copies of the texts have been issued variously as SGML (TCP schema; ASCII text with mnemonic sdata character entities); displayable XML (TCP schema; characters represented either as UTF-8 Unicode or text strings within braces); or lossless XML (TEI P5, characters represented either as UTF-8 Unicode or TEI g elements). Keying and markup guidelines are available at the Text Creation Partnership web site . eng Bible. -- O.T. -- Song of Solomon -- Paraphrases, English -- Early works to 1800. Religious poetry -- Early modern, 1500-1700. Hymns, English -- Early works to 1800. 2006-01 TCP Assigned for keying and markup 2006-01 Aptara Keyed and coded from ProQuest page images 2006-03 Judith Siefring Sampled and proofread 2006-03 Judith Siefring Text and markup reviewed and edited 2006-04 pfs Batch review (QC) and XML conversion Spiritual Songs ; OR , Songs of Praise TO Almighty God , Upon several Occasions . Together with The SONG of SONGS , Which is SOLOMON's : First Turn'd then Paraphrased in English Verse . To which may be added , Penitential Cries . The Sixth Edition Corrected . With an Addition of a Sacred Poem on Dives and Lazarus . LONDON : Printed for Tho. Parkhurst at the Bible and Three Crowns , at the lower end of Cheap-side near Mercers Chappel , 1699. THE PREFACE . OUR Blessed Saviour immediately before he went out to Suffer , Sung an Hymn , and his Disciples Sung with Him ; a●e to his Ascension into Heaven , the Apostles S●ng the Praises of God , and Taught others to 〈◊〉 so . After them , Primitive Christians Sum , and so must the Christians of this time . 〈…〉 should hold their Peace , the Stones would immediately Cry out : Should we be Si●●nt even the Heathens might shame us . One 〈◊〉 said formerly to his Friends , If I was 〈◊〉 Nightingale , I would Sing like a Nightingale ; But now I am a Man. I will Sing the Praises of God as long as I Li●e ; & I would have you to Sing with 〈◊〉 Sing we then heartily to our good God as it 〈◊〉 becometh us ; so dear to us should the Concernment of God's Honour be , that should Solemnly own his Goodnes● Power at Wisdom , even in those Works of His , where we have no special Interest ; For this we ha● the Example of Holy David ●nd ●thers . B●● if we have not attained to so divine a Fran●●et we should at least praise God for our o● Mercies ; which are scarce Mercies scarce 〈◊〉 if they be not Thankfully acknowledge to Him that gave Them ; some of which 〈◊〉 taken Notice of in the First Part of the B●● But who can express the Noble Acts of 〈◊〉 Lord , or shew forth all his Praises ? Solomon● Song is an Heavenly 〈◊〉 course betwixt Christ and his Church ; and how he loves Her● How he extols H●● H●● he 〈◊〉 Her ! 〈◊〉 be rejoyce 〈…〉 Her ! It is a thing which cannot be duly tho●g 〈◊〉 upon without an Holy Astonishment ; as is 〈◊〉 Majesty● so is his Mercy , so is his Love 〈◊〉 Joy. Hence it is that the day of his Espou●●ls , 〈◊〉 d●y that 〈◊〉 his 〈◊〉 with infinite Happiness ) it 's styled the day 〈…〉 Glad●●ss of his Heart , Ch. 5. 〈◊〉 In the Version I Look'd at the Words ; In the Paraphrase at the Spiritual Sense ; In the whole at the Edification of those that Love our Lord Jesus Christ in Sincerity . Worthy is the Lamb that was Slain to receive Power , and Riches , and Wisdom and Strength , and Honour , and Glory , and Blessing . Let Heaven and Earth praise him , let Saints and Angels praise Him. Let God's Holy Church throughout all the World praise Him ; Let all the Tongues and Tribes of the Earth praise Him , Let Time praise Him , Let Eternity praise Him , Let our Lips and our Lives praise Him , Let our Souls praise Him ; And O may they be a Praise to the Riches of his Grace for ever ! THE Contents of the First Part. I. A General Song of Praise to Almighty God. II. Another . III. A Song of Praise for Creation . IV. A Song of Praise for Preservation . V. A Song of Praise for Provision . VI. A Song of Praise for Protection . VII . A Song of Praise for Health . VIII . A Song of Praise for Family-prosperity . IX . A Song of Praise for good Success in Honest Affairs . X. A Song of Praise for the Morning . XI . A Song of Praise for the Evening . XII . A Song of Praise for the Birth of Christ . XIII . A Song of Praise for Christ . XIV . A Song of Praise for Redemption . XV. A Song of Praise for the Gospel . XVI . A Song of Praise for a Gospel-Ministry . XVII . A Song of Praise for Holy Baptism . XVIII . A Song of Praise for the Lord's Supper . XIX . A Song of Praise for the Lord's Day . XX. Another . XXI . A Song of Praise for the Patience of God. XXII . A Song of Praise for the Pardon of Sin. XXIII . A Song of Praise for peace of Conscience . XXIV . A Song of Praise for Joy in the H. Ghost . XXV . A Song of Praise for Grace . XXVI . A Song of Praise for Answer of Prayer . XXVII . A Song of Praise for Deliverance from Enemies . XXVIII . A Song of Praise for Deliverance from spiritual Troubles . XXIX . A Song of Praise for Deliverance from imminent danger of Death . XXX . A Song of Praise for the Hope of Glory . XXXI . A Song of Praise Collected out of the Book of Psalms . XXXII . Another . XXXIII . A Song of Praise collected from the Doxologies in the Revelation of St. John. BOOKS printed for Tho. Parkhurst . A Body of Practical Divinity , consisting of one Hundred Seventy Six Sermons on the lesser Carechism of the Assembly of Divines at Westminster ; with a Supplement of some Serm●ns on several Texts of Scripture ; by Tho● Watson formerly Minister of St. Stephens , Walbrook . Recommended by several Eminent Divines , to Masters of Families and others . Sacramental Hymns , collected chiefly from such Passages of the New Testament , as contain the most su●table matter of Divine Praise● in the Celebration of the Lords Supper ; t● which is added , one Hymn relating to Baptism and another to the Ministry : By Jos . Boys● Minister of the Gospel . Penitential Cries in Thirty two Hymns ; by John Mason M. A. and Author of the Songs o● Praise . Six hundred Select Hymns and Spiritua● Songs , collected out of the Bible ; together with a Catechism , the Canticles , and a Catalogue of Virtuous Women ; by W. Bartam , A. M. The Psalms of David in Metre , newly translated and diligently compared with the original Text , and former Translations ; more plain , smooth & agreeable to the Text than any heretofore . Recommended by Tho. Manton , J. Owen , VVilliam Jenkyn , Tho. Watson , Tho. Lye , Matth. Pool . Matthew Me●d , Tho. Doolittle , Tho. Vincent . Nath. Vincent , VVill. Carslake , Rich. May● , and divers other Eminent Divines . Songs of Praise to Almighty God , upon several Occasions . I. A General Song of Praise to Almighty God. ( 1. ) HOW shall I Sing that Majesty Which Angels do admire ? Let Dust in Dust and Silence lie , Sing , Sing , ye Heavenly Quire. Thousands of Thousands stand Around Thy Throne , O God , most High ; Ten Thousand times Ten Thousand sound Thy Praise ; but who am I ? ( 2. ) Thy Brightness unto them appears , Whilst I thy Footsteps trace , A Sound of God comes to my Ears ; But they behold thy Face . They Sing because thou art their Sun , Lord , send a Beam on me ; ●or where Heaven is but once begun There Hallelujahs be . ( 3. ) Enlighten with Faiths Light my Heart , Enflame it with Loves Fire , Then shall I Sing and bear a part , With that Celestial Quire. I shall , I fear , be dark and cold , With all my Fire and Light : Yet when thou dost accept their Gold , Lord Treasure up my Mite . ( 4. ) How great a Being , Lord , is thine , Which doth all Beings keep ! Thy Knowledge is the only Line To found so vast a Deep . Thou art a Sea without a Shore , A Sun without a Sphere , Thy Time is now and evermore , Thy place is every where . ( 5. ) How good art thou whose Goodness is Our Parent , Nurse and Guide ; Whose Streams do water Paradise And all the Earth beside ! Thine Upper and Thine Nether Springs Make both thy Worlds to thrive . Under thy warm and sheltering Wings Thou keep'st two Broods alive . ( 6. ) Thy Arm of Might , most mighty King , Both Rocks and Hearts doth break . My God , thou canst do every thing But what would shew thee weak . Thou canst not Cross thy self , or be Less than thy self , or poor ; But whatsoever pleaseth Thee , That canst thou do , and more . ( 7. ) Who would not fear thy Searching Eye , Witness to all that 's true ? Dark Hell and deep Hypocrisie Lie plain before its View . Motions and Thoughts before they grow Thy Knowledge doth Espy . What unborn Ages are to do Is done before thine Eye . ( 8. ) Thy Wisdom , which both makes and mends , We ever much Admire . Creation all our Wit Transcends ; Redemption rises Higher . Thy Wisdom guides stray'd Sinners home , 'T will make the dead World rise , And bring those Prisoners to their Doom ; Its Paths are Mysteries . ( 9. ) Great is thy Truth , and shall prevail To Unbelievers shame , Thy Truth and Years do never sail ; Thou ever art the same , Unbelief is a Raging wave , Dashing against a Rock . If God doth not his Israel Save , Then let Egyptians mock . ( 10. ) Most pure and Holy are thine Eyes , Most Holy is thy Name , Thy Saints , and Laws , and Penalties , Thy Holyness proclaim . This is the Devils scourge and sting , This is the Angels Song , Who Holy , Holy , Holy Sing , In Heavenly Canaan's Tongue . ( 11. ) Mercy , that shining Attribute , The Sinners Hope and Plea ! Huge Hosts of Sins in their Pursuit Are drown'd in thy Red Sea ; Mercy is God's Memorial , And in all Ages prais'd ; My God , thine only Son did fall , That Mercy might be Rais'd . ( 12. ) Thy bright Back parts , O God of Grace , I Humbly here Adore ; Shew me thy Glory and thy Face , That I may praise Thee more . Since none can see thy Face and live , For me to die is best , Through Jordan's streams who would not dive To Land at Canaan's Rest ? Another . 1. WHat shall I Render to my God , For all his Gifts to Me ? Sing Heav'n and Earth , rejoyce and praise His Glorious Majesty . Bright Cherubims , sweet Seraphims , Praise Him with all your might . Praise , praise Him , all ye Hosts of Heav'n , Praise him ye Saints in Light. 2. Ye blessed Patriachs praise the Lord , For his First-fruits are ye , Bless'd Prophets , who dreamt here of God , Praise Him , whom now you see . Offer to God ye glorious Priests , Your Sacrifice of Praise ; Sweet Psalmists , now your Hearts are Fixt , Your tuneful Voices raise . 3. Yet twelve Apostles of the Lamb , Who here proclaim'd your King , And Fill'd this World with holy Sounds , Loud Hallelujahs Sing . Triumphant Martyrs ye did Fight , And Fighting ye did fall , And falling ye took up a Crown : Crown Him who Crown'd you all . 4. Praise , praise Him , all ye saved Ones , From whom Salvation came ; Praise Him that Sits upon the Throne , And Praise the Glorious Lamb. Praise , praise him , all ye Saints below , Praise him both East and West : Praise him , all ye Baptized Lands , Praise whom you have Profess'd 5. O Praise Him , all ye Crowned Heads , That own the Christian Name : Praise Him , who is the King of Kings , Raise and Enlarge his Fame . Praise Him , all Christian Magistrates , Gain Credit to his Ways : Praise Him , ye Ministers of God , Teach Others Him to Praise . 6. Praise Him our Famous Christian Isle , Praise him with one accord . Let every Tongue , let every Tribe Be taught to Praise the Lord ; Praise Him , my Friends and Kindred all , O Praise Him all your Days ; My Mind and Heart , my Lip and Life Joyn to advance his Praise . 7. O Let me praise thee , whilst I live , And praise thee , when I dye , And praise thee , when I rise again , And to Eternity . Praise Father , Son and Holy Ghost , The Father sent his Son ; The Son sends forth the Holy Ghost : For Mens Salvation . 8. Mysterious depths of Endless Love Our Admirations raise , My God ; thy Name exalted is Far above all our Praise . III. A Song of Praise for Creation . 1. THou wast , O God : and thou wast Blest Before the World begun ; Of thine Eternity possest , Before Time's Glass did Run . Thou needest none thy Praise to Sing , As if thy Joy could Fade . Could'st thou have needed any thing , Thou could'st have nothing made . 2. Great and Good God , it pleased Thee Thy God-head to declare ; And what thy Goodness did decree , Thy Greatness did prepare : Thou spak'st , and Heaven and Earth Appear'd , And Answer'd to thy Call ; As if their Makers Voice they heard , Which is the Creatures ALL. 3. Thou spak'st the Word , most mighty Lord , Thy Word went forth with Speed , Thy Will , O Lord , it was thy Word . Thy Word it was thy Deed : Thou brought'st forth Adam from the Ground , And Eve out of his Side ; Thy Blessings made the Earth abound , With these Two multiply'd . 4. Those three great Leaves , Heav'n , Sea & Land , Thy Name in Figures shew ; Bruites feel the Bounty of thy Hand , But I my Maker know . Should not I here thy Servant be , VVhose Creatures serve me here ? My Lord , whom should I fear but Thee , VVho am thy Creatures Fear ? 5. To whom , Lord , should I Sing but thee , The Maker of my Tongue ! Lo ! other Lords would Seize on Me , But I to thee belong : As Waters haste unto their Sea , And Earth unto its Earth ; So let my Soul return to Thee , From whom it had its Birth . 6. But ah ! I 'am fallen in the Night , And cannot come to thee . Yet speak the Word , Let there be Light ; It shall Enlighten me : And let thy Word , most Mighty Lord , Thy Fallen Creature raise , O make me o're again , and I Shall Sing my Makers praise . IV. A Song of Praise for Preservation . 1. THou Lord who raised'st Heaven and Earth Dost make thy Building stand , The Weight whereof doth wholly Rest On thine Almighty Hand : Should'st thou withdraw thy Hand of might , The Earth would quit its place ; The shining Heaven would vanish streight Into meer empty Space . 2. For as that Liquors Scent remains , Which first the Cask did Fill ; So Feeble Creatures hold the Scent Of their first nothing still : Lord , what is Man , that Child of Pride , That boasts his High degree ? If one poor moment he be Left , He Sinks , and where is He ? 3. In Thee I Live and Move , and am , Thou deal'st me out my days , As thou renew'st my Being , Lord , Let me renew thy Praise : From thee I am , through thee I am , And for thee I must be ; 'T is better for me not to live Than not to live to thee . 4. My God , thou art my glorious Sun , By whose bright Beams I shine ; As thou , Lord , ever art with Me , Let me be ever thine . Thou art my living Fountain , Lord , Whose streams on me do flow ; My self I render unto thee , To whom my self I owe. 5. As thou , Lord , an Immortal Soul Has ; t Breathed into me ; So let my Soul be Breathing forth Immortal Thanks to Thee . V. A Song of Praise for Provision . 1. COme , let us praise our Masters Hand , Which gives us daily Bread ; Thy House , my Lord , is full of Guests , Thy Table Richly Spread : Earth is thy Table , where thy Guests Do daily Sit and Feed ; Thy Hand Carves every one his part , And suffers None to need . 2. Naked came I into the World , And nothing with me brought ; And nothing have I here deserv'd , Yet have I lacked Nought . I do not Bless my Labouring Hand , My Labouring Head or Chance ; Thy Providence , most Gracious God , Is mine Inheritance . 3. Thy Bounty gives me Bread with Peace , A Table free from Strife ; Thy Blessing is the Staff of Bread , Which is the Staff of Life . The People Sate in Companies , My Saviour Fed them all ; So all the Families of the Earth Have Tables in Gods Hall 4. The Vine and Olive Branches too Are nourished by thy Care , Mercies we Eat , Mercies we Drink , Mercies we daily wear : Shall I repine against my God That kept me all my days ? Then let my Tongue forget to taste , When it forgets to praise . VI. A Song of Praise for Protection . 1. MY God , my only Help and Hope , My strong and sure Defence : For all my Safety and my Peace , I bless thy Providence : The daily Favours of my God I cannot Sing at large , Yet let me make this Holy Boast , I am the Almighties Charge . 2. Lord , in the day thou art about The Paths wherein I tread ; And in the Night , when I lye down , Thou art about my Bed : I travel thro' the Wilderness , Free from the Beasts of prey . The Wolves and Lions Mouths are stop'd , The Serpents creep away . 3. In Preservation God Creates , Delivers in Protection ; Lord , every Moment of my Life , Is like a Resurrection : ● thousand Deaths I daily ' scape , I pass by many a Pit , I Sail by many dreadful Rocks , Where others have been split . 4. I see blind People with mine Eyes , To Hospitals I walk ; ● hear of them that cannot hear , And of the Dumb I talk : Lord , what am I that thou should'st shew Such Favour unto me ? My Bones and Senses , all must say , Lord , who is like to thee ? VII . A Song of Praise for Health . 1. HEalth is a Jewel dropt from Heav'n , Which Money cannot buy , The Life of Life , the Bodies Peace , And pleasant Harmony : Lord who hath Tun'd my outward Man To such a lively Frame , Skrew up my Heart-strings all , to make Sweet Melody to thy Name . 2. Whilst Others in God's Prisons lie , Bound with Afflictions Chains , I walk at large , secure and free From Sickness and from Pains : Their Life is Death , their Language groans , Their Meat is Juice of Galls ; Their Friends , but strangers ; wealth , but want , Their Houses , Prison-walls . 3. Their earnest Cries do pierce the Skies , And shall I silent be ? Lord , was I sick , as I am well , Thou should'st have heard from me . The Sick have not more cause to pray , Than I to praise my King. Since Nature teaches them to groan , Let Grace teach me to sing . 4. I see my Friends , I taste my Meat , I 'm free from my Employ : But when I do enjoy my God , Then I my self enjoy . Lord , who dost set me on my Feet , Direct me in thy ways : O Crown thy Gift of Health with Grace , And turn it to thy Praise . VIII . A Song of Praise for Family-Prosperity . 1. THy Blessing , Lord , doth multiply One Jacob to two Bands , One Person to a Family , Which through thy Blessing stands . On all my Flock both great and small Thy Sun doth Sweetly Shine ; Thy fruitful drops do gently fall On every Branch of mine . 2. Thy Blessing made the Loaves to grow , And Multitudes were Fed. My House is Fill'd and Feasted too ; It is an House of Bread : How can I hear my Children Sing , And not Sing unto thee ? Since they glad News from Heav'n do bring , My God must hear from me . 3. Mine Olive Branches and my Vine Thrive by my Tables Side , Whilst others wither and decline , Who in Deaths Shade abide . With Cov'nant Blood my Posts are Red , 'T is on my Lintle found . 〈◊〉 Lo ! the Line of Scarlet Thread Is on my Window bound . 4. 'T is not , my God , my self alone , But mine , to Thee I owe , Thou mad'st me many out of one , So let thy Praises grow : Whatever Lord is done to thine , Thou count'st it done to thee : And whatsoever's done to mine , I Count it done to Me. 5. Let me be ever good to thine , Who art so good to me ! Let thine be mine , and mine be thine , And they twice mine shall be ; Then shall my House a Temple be , Then I and mine shall Sing Hosanna's to thy Majesty , And praise our Heavenly King. IX . A Song of Praise for good Success in honest Affairs . 1. IS not the Hand of God in this : Is not this End divine ? Lord of Success , Thee will I bless , Who on my Paths do'st shine : I Reap the Fruit of God's Design , By Him it was foreseen ; He thought of this as well as I , Or it had never been . 2. I Blindly guess'd , but he foreknew , I wish'd , he did Command ; Wherefore I praise his careful Eye , And his Unerring Hand : The Bow is draw by feeble Arms , Aim taken in the Dark , A Providential Hand doth Guide The Arrow to the Mark. 3. Except the Lord the City keep , The Watchmen will be slain ; Except the Lord do build the House , The Builder Builds in Vain : Buildings are Babels , Cities Heaps , When thou send'st Curse or Flame ; And labouring Heads that promise Fruit , Oft bring forth Wind and Shame . 4. But thou hast Crown'd my Actions , Lord , With good Success to day ; This Crown , together with my self At thy blest Feet I lay : Lord , who art pleas'd to prosper Me , To bless me in my ways ; Prosper my weak endeavouring Heart , Which Aimeth at thy Praise . X. A Song of Praise for the Morning . 1. MY God was with me all this Night , And gave Me sweet Respose ; My God did watch even whilst I slept , O● I had never Rose : How many groan'd and wish'd for Sleep , Until they wish'd for day , Meas'ring slow Hours with their quick pains , Whilst I securely lay ! 2. Whilst I did sleep all dangers slept , No Thieves did me affright , Those Evening Wolves , Those Beasts of prey , Disturbers of the Night : No Raging Flames nor Storms did Rend The House that I was in ; I heard no dreadful Cries without , No doleful Groans within . 3. What Terrours have I ' Scap'd this Night , Which have on Others Fell , My Body might have slept its last , My Soul have wak'd in Hell : Sweet Rest had gain'd that Strength to Me , Which Labour did Devour : My Body was in weakness Sown , But it is Rais'd in power . ( 4. ) Lord , for the Mercies of the Night , My humble Thanks I pay , And unto Thee I dedicate The first Fruits of the day : Let this day praise Thee , O my God , And so let all my days : And O let mine Eternal Day , Be thine Eternal praise . XI . A Song of Praise for the Evening . 1. NOW from the Altar of my Heart , Let Incense Flames arise ; Assist me , Lord , to offer up Mine Evening Sacrifice : Awake , my Love ; Awake , my Joy ; Awake my Heart and Tongue , Sleep not when Mercies loudly call ; Break forth into a Song . 2. Man's Life 's a Book of History , The Leaves thereof are Days ; The Letters Mercies closely Joyn'd , The Title is thy Praise : This day God was my Sun and Shield , My keeper and my Guide ; His care was on my Frailty shewn , His Mercies multiply'd . 3. Minutes and Mercies multiply'd , Have made up all this day ; Minutes came quick , but Mercies were More Fleet and Free than they : New time , new Favours , and new Joys , Do a new Song require ; Till I shall praise Thee as I would , Accept my Hearts desire . 4. Lord of my Time , whose Hand hath Set , New Time upon my Score ; Then shall I praise for all my Time , When Time shall be no more . XII . A Song of Praise for the Birth of Christ. 1. AWay dark thoughts ; Awake , my Joy ; Awake , my Glory , Sing , Sing Songs to Celebrate the Birth Of Jacobs God and King : O happy Night , that brought forth Light : Which makes the Blind to see ! The day-Spring from on High came down To Chear and Visit Thee . 2. The wakeful Shepherds near their Flocks , Were watching for the Morn ; But better News from Heav'n was brought Your Saviour Christ is Born. In Bethlem-Town the Infant Lies , Within a place obscure ; O Little Bethlem , poor in VValls , But Rich in Furniture ! 3. Since Heaven is now come down to Earth , Hither the Angels Fly ; Heark how the Heavenly Quire doth Sing , Glory to God 〈◊〉 High : The News is spread , the Church is glad , Simeon , o'recome with Joy , Sings with the Infant in his Arms , Now let thy Servant die . 4. Wise Men from far beheld the Star , Which was their faithful Guide ; Until it pointed forth the Babe , And him they glorified : Do Heaven and Earth Rejoyce and Sing , Shall we our Christ deny ? He 's Born for us , and we for Him ; Glory to God on High. XIII . A Song of Praise for Christ . 1. I 'VE found the Pearl of greatest price , My Heart doth Sing for Joy ; Sing I must ; a Christ I have , what a Christ have I ! Christ is the Way , the Truth and Life , The Way to God and Glory : Life to the Dead , the Truth of Types , The Truth of Ancient Story . 2. Christ is a Prophet , Priest and King ; A Prophet full of Light : A Priest that stands 'twixt God and Man , A King that Rules with Might : Christ's Manhood is a Temple , where , The Altar , God doth Rest ; My Christ he is the Sacrifice ; My Christ , He is the Priest . 3. My Christ , He is the Lord of Lords , He is the King of Kings ; He is the Son of Righteousness , With Healing in his Wings . My Christ , He is the Tree of Life Which in God's Garden grows , Whose Fruits do Feed , whose Leaves do Heal , My Christ is Sharons Rose . ( 4. ) Christ is my Meat , Christ is my Drink , My Physick and my Health ; My Peace , my Strength , my Joy , my Crown . My Glory and my Wealth : Christ is my Father and my Friend , My Brother and my Love ; My Head , my Hope , my Counsell● My Advocate above . ( 5. ) My Christ he is the Heaven of Heaven , My Christ what shall I call ? My Christ is first , my Christ is last , My Christ is All in All. XIV . A Song of Praise for Redemption . 1. O That I had an Angels Tongue , That I might loudly Sing The Wonders of Redeeming Love , To Thee my God and King ! But Man , who at the Gates of Hell , Did Pale and Speechless Lye , Must find a Tongue and Time to speak , Or else the Stones will cry . ( 2. ) Let the Redeemed of the Lord , Their thankful Voices raise : Can we be Dumb , whilst Angels Sing Our great Redeemers Praise ? Come let us joyn with Angels then , Glory to God on High ; Peace upon Earth , Good Will to Men , Amen , Amen , say I. ( 3. ) 〈◊〉 Adam's Race was Sathans prey , 〈◊〉 And Dust the Serpent's Food : 〈◊〉 that were doom'd to be devour'd , 〈◊〉 naked and Trembling stood . A VVise Eternal Pity then Did helpless Man befriend ; Our Help did in God's Bosom Lie , And thence it did descend . 4. Love Cloathed with Humility , Built here an House of Clay ; In which it dwelt , and Rescu'd Man ; The Devil lost his prey : The spiteful Serpent bruis'd Christ's Heel , But then Christ brake his Head ; And left Him Nail'd upon the Cross , On which his Blood was shed . 5. Sing and triumph in boundless Grace , VVhich thus hath set thee free ; Extol with shouts , my saved Soul , Thy Saviours Love to thee : Give Endless Thanks to God , and say , VVhat Love was this in thee ; That thou hast not with held thy Son , Thine only Son from Me ! 6. VVhat were Ten Thousand Worlds to him , Thine Image and Delight , Had we been all cast down to Hell , Justice had had its Right : Thy Glory might have been distrain'd , Our Torments should Express Thy Pureness , Justice , Might and Truth , And Everlastingness 7. Thus , Lord , thy dreadful Attributes , Man might have serv'd to prove ; Thy Glorious Angels would have Sung The Riches of thy Love : Would'st thou have active Worshippers , Besides the Angels Quire ? Millions had Issu'd at thy Word , As Sparks arise from Fire . 8. Mans Room had quickly been Supply'd , For , Lord , at thy Command A New Creation should appear ; Thy Grace could make them stand : Or would'st thou shew thy pity , Lord ? Thou might'st have looked then On Fallen Angels , Fallen Stars , And not on Fallen Men. 9. But fallen Angels must be left , And Fallen Men must rise ; For this , the Son of God must Fall A Bloody Sacrifice : Thy Deep and Glorious Councels , Lord , With Trembling I Adore ; Blessed , thrice blessed be my God , Blessed for evermore . XV. A Song of Praise for the Gospel . 1. BLest be my God that I was Born , To hear the Joyful Sound ; That I was born to be Baptiz'd , And Bred on Holy Ground : That I was Bred where God appears , In Tokens of his Grace ; The Lines are Fallen unto me , In a most pleasant place . 2. I might have been a Pagan Bred , Or else a Veiled Jew , Or Cheated with an Alcoran Among the Turkish Crew . Dumb Pictures might have been my Books , Dark Language my Devotion ; And so I might with blinded Eyes , Have drunk a deadly Potion . 3. So in a Dungeon dark as Night , I might have Spent my days ; But thou hast sent me Gospel-Light , To thine Eternal praise . The Sun which rose up in the East , And drove their Shades away ; His Healing Wings have reach'd the West , And turn'd our Night to Day . 4. England at first an Egypt was , Since that proud Babels Slave ; At last a Canaan it became , And then my Birth it gave . Blest be my God that I have slept The dismal Night away ; Being kept in Providence's Womb , To England's brightest Day . 5. Blest be my God for what I see , My God for what I hear ; I hear such blessed News from Heaven , Nor Earth nor Hell I fear . I hear my Lord for me was born , My Lord for Me did dye ; My Lord for Me did Rise again , And did ascend on High. 6. On High he stands to plead my Cause , And will return again ; And set Me on a Glorious Throne , That I with Him may Reign . Glory to God the Father be , Glory to God the Son ; Glory to God the Holy Ghost ; Glory to God Alone . A Song of Praise for a Gospel Ministry 1. FAir are the Feet which bring the News Of Gladness unto Me ; What Happy Messengers are these Which my bless'd Eyes do see ! These are the Stars which God appoints For Guides unto my Eyes ; To lead me unto Bethlem-Town , Where my dear Saviour Lies . 2. These are my Gods Ambassadors , By whom his Mind I know , God's Angels in his lower Heav'n , God's Trumpeters below : The Trumpet sounds , the Dead arise , Which fell by Adam's Hand ; Again the Trumpet sounds , and they Set forth for Canaans Land. 3. The Servants speak , but thou , Lord , dost A hearing Ear bestow ; They smite the Rock , but thou , my God , Dost make the Waters flow : They shoot the Arrow , but thy Hand Doth drive the Arrow home ; They call , but , Lord , thou dost Compel , And then thy Guests are come . 4. Angels that flie , and Worms that creep , Are both alike to Thee ; If thou make Worms thine Angels , 〈◊〉 They bring my God to me As Sons of Thunder first they 〈◊〉 And I the Lightning fear , But then they bring me to my Home , And Sons of Comfort are . 5. Lord , thou art in them of a Truth , That I might never stray ; The Clouds and Pillars march before , And shew me Canaans way : I bless my God , who is my Guide ; I sing in Sions ways ; When shall I sing on Sions Hill , Thine Everlasting Praise ? XVII . A Song of Praise for Holy Baptism . 1. LOrd , What is Man , that Lump of Sin , Made up of Earth and Hell ; Not fit to come within the Camp Where Holy Angels dwell ? Man is a Leper from the Womb , An Ethiopian born , A Traitor 's Guilty Son and Heir , VVorthy of pain and scorn . 2. And dost thou ●ook on such a One ? Are not thine Eyes most pure ? 〈◊〉 they are Eyes of Pity too , Where 〈◊〉 do beg a Cure. This 〈…〉 Loathsom Sight , But Pay casts an Eye , And bids him wash in Jordan's Streams , To Cure his Leprosie . 3. This Ethiopian Skin is chang'd , And made as white as Snow , When dipt in wonder-working Streams , VVhich from Christ's Side did flow : As Adam slept , and from his Side A Killing Eve arose ; From my pierc'd Lord ( that smitten Rock ) A pure Life-Fountain flows . 4. Ah what a Tainted wretch is Man ! And so he must have stood , But lo ! an Act of Sovereign Grace Restores him to his Blood : Save me , my God ; for I am thine , Lord , own thy Seal to me ; O wash my Soul till it be cleans'd , And purify'd for Thee . 5. Blest above Streams is Jordan's Flood , VVhich toucheth Canaans Shore . I 'll sing thy Praise in Jordan's Streams , In Canaan evermore . XVIII . A Song of Praise for the Lord's Supper . 1. O Praise the Lord ! praise him , praise him , Sing Praises to his Name ; O all ye Saints of Heav'n and Earth , Extol and Laud the same ; VVho spared not his only Son , But gave Him for us all ; And made him drink the Cup of Wrath , The VVormwood and the Gall. 2. Frail Nature shrunk , and did request That bitter Cup might pass ; But he must drink it off , and this The Fathers Pleasure was : Lo then I come to do thy Will , His blessed Son reply'd ; Yielding Himself to God and Man , He stretch'd his Arms and dy'd . 3. He Dy'd indeed , but Rose again , And did ascend on High ; That we poor Sinners lost and dead , Might Live Eternally : Good Lord , how many Souls in Hell , Doth Vengeance vex and tear ; VVere it not for a Dying Christ , Our Dwelling had been there . 4. His Blood was shed instead of ours , His Soul our Hell did bear ; He took our Sin , gave us Himself , VVhat an Exchange is here ! VVhatever is not Hell it self , For me it is too good : But must we Eat the Flesh of Christ ? And must we Drink his Blood ? 5. His Flesh is Heav'nly Food indeed , His Blood is Drink Divine ; His Graces drop , like Honey falls , His Comforts taste like Wine ; Sweet Christ , thou hast refresh'd our Souls , VVith thine abundant Grace ; For which we magnifie thy Name , Longing to see thy Face . 6. When shall our Souls mount up to Thee , Most Holy , Just , and True , To eat that Bread , and drink that Wine ; VVhich is for ever New ? XIX . A Song of Praise for the Lord's-Day . 1. MY Lord , my Love , was Crucified , He all the pains did bear ; But in the Sweetness of his Rest , He makes his Servants share : How sweetly rest thy Saints above , Which in thy Bosom lie ? Thy Church below , doth Rest in hope Of that Felicity . 2. Thou , Lord , who daily feed'st thy Sheep , Mak'st them a weekly Feast ; Thy Flocks meet in their several Folds , Upon this Day of Rest ; Welcome and dear unto my Soul , Are these sweet Feasts of Love ; But what a Sabbath shall I keep , When I shall Rest above ! 3. I bless thy wise and wondrous Love , Which binds us to be free ; Which makes us leave our Earthly Snare , That we may come to thee ; I come , I wait , I hear , I pray , Thy Footsteps , Lord , I trace ; I sing to think this is the way Unto my Saviours Face . 4. These are my Preparation-days ; And when my Soul is Drest , ●se Sabbaths shall deliver Me 〈◊〉 mine Eternal Rest . XX. Another . 1. BLest Day of God , most calm , most bright , The first and best of Days ; The Lab'rours Rest , the Saints Delight , A day of Mirth and Praise : My Saviours Face did make thee shine , His rising did thee raise ; This made thee Heavenly and Divine , Beyond the common Days . 2. The First-fruits do a Blessing prove To all the Sheaves behind , And they that do a Sabbath love , An happy Week shall find : My Lord on Thee his Name did fix , Which makes thee Rich and Gay ; Amidst his Golden Candlesticks , My Saviour walks this day . 3. He walks in 's Robes , his Face ●unes bright , The Stars are in his Hand ; Out of his Mouth , that place of Might , A Two-edg'd Sword doth stand , Grac'd with our Lord's Appearance th● As well as with his Name ; Thou may'st demand Respect from us , Upon a double Claim . 4. This day God doth his Vessels broach ; His Conduits run with Wine ; He that loves not this days approach , Scorns Heaven and Saviours shine : VVhat Slaves are those who Slav'ry chuse , And Garlick for their Feast ; Whilst Milk and Honey they refuse , And the Almighty's Rest ? 5. This Market-day doth Saints enrich , And smiles upon them all , It is their Pentecost , on which The Holy Ghost doth fall : O Day of Wonders ! Mercies pawn , The weary Souls Recruit ; The Christians Goshen , Heavens Dawn , The Bud of Endless Fruit , 6. Oh could I love as I have lov'd , Thy Watches heretofore ; As England's Glory thou hast prov'd , May'st thou be so yet more : This day must I for God appear , For , Lord , the day is thine ; O let me spend it in thy Fear ! Then shall the day be mine . 7. Cease , Work and Play , throughout the day , That I to God may rest ; Now let me Talk with God , and Walk With God , and I am blest . XXI . A Song of Praise for the Patience of God. 1. ALmighty God , how hast thou born Wrongs not to be exprest ; Daring Rebellion , Injur'd Love , Light quenched in my Breast ! Man would be God , and down he fell , To teach him better Skill ; Yet he lifts up his bruised Bones Against his Maker still . 2. Lord , what a Monster is base Man , Thus given to Rebel ! O that thou dost not cleave the Earth , And send him quick to Hell ! His Sins for Wages loudly Cry , Justice with dreadful sound Cries too , Cut down this fruitless Tree , VVhy cumbers it the Ground ? 3. But God waves his Advantages Of Right and Vengeance too , And by his single Patience , Doth daring Man out-do : The Creature doth disdain his God , By whom he is Maintain'd ; Yet God Maintains this Rebel-worm , By whom he is disdain'd . 4. Fool , ask not where th' Almighty is , All Glory to Him give ; Is not his Power fully prov'd , In suffring Thee to Live ? VVas he not God , he could not bear , Such VVeights as on him lie ; VVeak things are quickly set on Fire , And to their VVeapons flie . 5. VVhy should not Patience make me sing , VVhen Hell would make me roar ? Lord , let thy Patience end in Love , I 'll sing for evermore . XXII . A Song of Praise for Pardon of Sin. 1. MY God a God of Pardon is , His Bosom gives me Ease ; I have not , do not please my God , Yet Mercy Him doth please : My Sins aloud for Vengeance call , But lo ! a Fountain springs From Christ's pierc'd Side , which louder cries , And speaketh better things . 2. My sins have reach'd up to the Heav'ns , But Mercies Height exceeds ; God's Mercy is above the Heav'ns , Above my sinful deeds ; My sins are many , like the Stars , Or sands upon the Shore ; But yet the Mercies of my God Are infinitely more . 3. My Sins in bigness do arise Like Mountains Great and Tall ; But Mercy , like a mighty Sea , Covers these Mountains all : This is a Sea that 's Bottomless , A Sea without a Shore ; For where sin hath abounded much , Mercies abound much more . 4. Manasseh , Paul and Magdalen , Were Pardon'd all by Thee ; I read it , and believe it , Lord , For thou hast pardon'd Me : When God shall search the World for sin , What trembling will be there ? O Rocks and Mountains cover us , VVill be the Sinners Prayer . 5. But the Lamb's wrath they need not fear , Who once have felt his Love ; And they that walk with God below , Shall dwell with God above : Rage Earth and Hell , come Life , come Death , Yet still my song shall be , God was , and is , and will be good , And merciful to Me. XXIII . A Song of Praise for Peace of Conscience . 1. MY God , my reconciled God , Creator of my Peace , Thee will I love , and praise and sing , Till Life and Breath shall cease : My Thoughts did rage , my Soul was tost , 'T was like a troubled Sea ; But what a Mighty Voice is this , Which winds and waves obey ! 2. God spake the word , Peace and be still , My Sins , those Mutineers With speed went off and took their flight , Where now are all my fears ? The VVorld can neither give nor take , Nor yet can understand That Peace of God , which Christ hath brought , And gives me with his Hand . 3. This is my Saviour's Legacy , Confirm'd by his Decease ; Ye shall have Trouble in the VVorld , In Me ye shall have Peace ; And so it is , the World doth rage , And Peace in me doth Reign ; And whilst my God maintains the Fort , Their Batt'ries are in vain . 4. The Burning Bush was not consum'd , VVhilst God remained there ; The Three , when Christ did make the Fourth , Found Fire as weak as Air : So is my Mem'ry stufft with Sins , Enough to make an Hell ; And yet my Conscience is not scorch'd , For God in Me doth dwell . 5. VVhere God doth dwell , sure Heav'n is there , And Singing there must be ; Since , Lord , thy Presence makes my Heaven , VVhom should I sing but Thee ? My God , my reconciled God , Creator of my Peace ; Thee will I love , and praise , and sing , Till Life and Breath shall cease . XXIV . A Song of Praise for Joy in the H. Ghost . 1. MY Soul doth magnifie the Lord , My Spirit doth rejoyce In God my Saviour , and my God , I hear his joyful Voice ; I need not go abroad for Joy , VVho have a feast at Home ; My Sighs are turned into Songs , The Comforter is come . 2. Down from above , the blessed Dove Is come into my Breast ; To witness God's Eternal Love , This is my Heav'nly Feast : This makes me Abba Father cry , VVith Confidence of Soul ; It makes me cry , my Lord , my God , And that without Controul . 3. There is a Stream , which Issues forth From God's Eternal Throne , And from the Lamb ; a living Stream , Clear as the Crystal Stone : This Stream doth water Paradise , It makes the Angels sing , One Cordial Drop revives my Heart , Hence all my Joys do spring . 4. Such Joys as are unspeakable , And full of Glory too ; Such hidden Manna , hidden Pearls , As worldings do not know : Eye hath not seen , nor Ear hath heard , From Fancy 't is conceal'd ; VVhat thou , Lord , hast laid up for thine , And hast to me reveal'd . 5. I see thy Face , I hear thy Voice , I taste thy sweetest Love ; My Soul doth leap ; but O for wings , The Wings of Noah's Dove ! Then should I Flee far hence away , Leaving this world of sin ; Then should my Lord put forth his Hand , And kindly take me in . 6. Then should my Soul with Angels Feast On Joys that always last ; Blest be my God , the God of Joy , Who gives me here a Taste . XXV . A Song of Praise for Grace . 1. O God of Grace , who hast Restor'd Thine Image unto Me , Which by my Sins was quite defac'd , What shall I render Thee ? Thine Image and Inscription , Lord , Upon my Heart I bear ; Thine own I render unto Thee , O God , my God most dear . 2. My self I owe Thee for my self , Whom Thou didst make of Earth ; But thou hast made me o're again , Thou gav'st a Second Birth : Twice born , and twice endu'd with Life , I hast to come to Thee , To pay my Vows , my Thanks , my Heart , With all Humility . 3. O was I Born first from Beneath ! And then Born from above ! Am I a Child of Man and God ? O Rich and Endless Love ! When I had broke the Tables , Lord , New Tables thou didst Hew , And with thy Finger didst Engrave Thy Laws on them anew . 4. Earth is my Mother , Earth my Nurse , And Earth must be my Tomb ; Yet God , the God of Heav'n and Earth , My Father is become : Hell enter'd Me , and into Hell I quickly should have Run ; But O! kind Heav'n laid hold on Me , Heav'n is in Me begun . 5. This Spark will rise into a Flame , This Seed into a Tree ; My Songs shall rise , my Praises shall Loud Hallelujahs be . XXVI . A Song of Praise for Answer of Prayer . 1. WHat are the Heav'ns , O God of Heaven ! Thou art more bright , more high ; What are bright Stars , and brighter Saints , To thy bright Majesty ! Thou' rt far above the Songs of Heav'n , Sung by the Holy Ones ; And dost thou stoop and bow thine Ear To a poor Sinners groans . 2. God minds the Language of my Heart , My Groans and Sighs he hears ; He hath a Book for my Request , A Bottle for my Tears : But did not my dear Saviour's Blood , First wash away their Guilt ; My Sighs would prove but empty Air , My Tears would all be spilt . 3. Lord , thine Eternal Spirit was My Advocate within ; But O! my Smoak joyn'd with thy Flame , My Prayer was mixt with Sin : But then Christ was my Altar , and My Advocate above ; His Blood did clear my Prayer , and gain'd An Answer full of Love. 4. It could not be that thou shouldst hear A Mortal sinful Worm ; But that my Prayers presented are In a more glorious Form : Christ's precious Hands took my Requests , And turn'd my Dross to Gold ; His Blood put warmth into my Prayers , Which were by Nature cold . 5. Thou heard'st my Groans for Jesus sake , Whom thou dost hear always ; Lord , hear through that prevailing Name , My Voice of Joy and Praise . XXVII . A Song of Praise for Deliverance from Enemies . 1. GReat God , who dost the World command , Thou check'st both winds and waves ; The Devils , which like Lions Roar , Are thine Enchain'd Slaves : The Sons of Rage are smoaking Brands , And Idols fear'd in vain ; Thou Lord , the only , only God , Their Fury dost restrain . 2. Thou , Lord , didst smooth fierce Esau's Brow , And change his Murm'ring Breath ; Thou gav'st to him a Brothers Heart , Who vow'd his Brothers Death : Angels have Arm'd , at thy Command , And Stars have shot their Dart ; Nature hath fought , and Miracles Have took thy Churches part . 3. Thee , Lord , who still thy Church dost love , All Creatures must obey ; And when for Thine thou dost arise , Their En'mies , where are they ? I cry'd to Heav'n in my Distress , I to my God did flee ; He with Compassion heard my Cry , He did Arise for Me. 4. With humble Fear , and thankful Joy , Lord , at thy Feet I fall , Unfeignedly acknowledging , That Thou alone dost all . Thou art all Pow'r , thou art all Love , And so thou art to Me ; Blest be my God , now and henceforth , And to Eternity . XXVIII . A Song of Praise for Deliverance from Spiritual Troubles . 1. I That am drawn out of the Depth , Will sing upon the Shore ; I that in Hell's dark Suburbs lay , Pure Mercy will adore : The Terrors of the Living God , My Soul did so affright ; I fear'd lest I should be condemn'd To an Eternal Night . 2. Kind was the Pity of my Friends , But could not Ease my Smart ; Their Words indeed did reach my Case , But could not reach my Heart : Ah , then what was this World to Me , To whom God's Word was dark ! Who in my Dungeon cou'd not see One Beam , or shining Spark . 3. What then were all the Creatures Smiles , When the Creator frown'd ? My Days were Nights , my Life was Death , My Being was my VVound : Trtur'd and wrack'd with Hellish Fears , VVhen God the Blow should give ; ●ne Eyes did fail , my Heart did sink , Then Mercy bid me live . 4. God's Furnace doth in Sion stand , But Sion's God sits by ; As the Refiner views his Gold With an observant Eye : God's Thoughts are high , his Love is wise , His Wounds a Cure intend ; And tho' he doth not always smile , He loves unto the end . 5. Thy Love is constant to its Line , Tho' Clouds oft come between ; O could my Faith but pierce these Clouds , It might be always seen : But I am weak , and forc'd to cry , Take up my Soul to thee ; Then as thou ever art the same ; So shall I ever be . 6. Then shall I ever , ever sing , Whilst thou dost ever shine ; I have thine own dear Pledge for this , Lord , thou art ever mine . XXIX . A Song of Praise for Deliverance from imminent Dangers of Death . 1. LOrd of my Life , length of my Days , Thy Hand hath rescu'd me ; Who lying at the Gates of Death Among the dead , was free . My dearest Friends I had resign'd Unto their Makers Care ; Me thought I only time had lest For a concluding Prayer . 2. Me thoughts Death laid his Hand 〈…〉 And did his Pris'n●● 〈…〉 And by the sound me ●●oughts I heard , His Masters Feet behind : Me thoughts I stood upon the Shore , And nothing could I see , But the Vast Ocean with my Eyes , A Vast Eternity . 3. Me thoughts I heard the Midnight Cry , Behold the Bridegroom comes ; Me thoughts I was call'd to the Bar , Where Souls receive their Dooms : The VVorld was at an End to me , As if it all did Burn ; But lo ! there came a Voice from Heav'n , VVhich order'd my Return . 4. Lord , I return'd at thy Command , VVhat wilt thou have me do ? O let me wholly live to Thee , To whom my Life I owe ! Fain would I dedicate to Thee The Remnant of my Days ; Lord , with my Life renew my Heart , That both thy Name may praise . XXX . A Song of Praise for the Hope of Glory . 1. I Sojourn in a Vale of Tears , Alas , how 〈◊〉 sing ! My Harp doth on the Willows hang , Distun'd in every String : My Musick is a Captives Chains , Harsh Sounds my Ears do fill ; How shall I sing sweet Sions Song , On this side Sions Hill ? 2. Yet lo ! I hear a Joyful Sound , Surely I quickly come ; Each word much sweetness doth distil , Like a full Honey-Comb : And dost thou come , my dearest Lord ? And dost thou surely come ? And dost thou surely quickly come ? Methinks I am at Home . 3. Come then my dearest , dearest Lord , My sweetest , surest Friend ; Come , for I loath these Kedar Tents , Thy Fiery Chariots send : What have I here ? my Thoughts and Joys Are all pack'd up and gone ; My Eager Soul would follow them , To thine Eternal Throne . 4. What have I in this Barren Land ? My Jesus is not here ; Mine Eyes will ne're be blest until My Jesus doth appear : My Jesus is gone up to Heav'n , To get a Place for me ; For 't is his Will that where he is , There should his Servants be . 5. Canaan I view from Pisgahs Top , Of Canaans Grapes I taste ; My Lord who sends unto me here , Will send for me at last : I have a God that changeth not , Why should I be perplext ? My God that owns Me in this World , Will own me in the next . 6. Go fearless then , my Soul , with God , Into another Room ; Thou who hast walked with him here , Go see thy God at Home : View Death with a believing Eye , It hath an Angels Face ; And this kind Angel will prefer Thee to an Angels place . 7. The Grave is but a Fining-Pot Unto believing Eyes ; For there the Flesh shall lose its dross , And like the Sun shall rise ; The world , which I have known too well Hath mock'd me with its Lies ; How gladly could I leave behind Its vexing Vanities ? 8. My dearest Friends , they dwell above , Them will I go to see ; And all my Friends in Christ below , VVill soon come after me : Fear not the Trumps Earth rending Sound , Dread not the Day of Doom ; For he that is to be thy Judge , Thy Saviour is become . 9. Blest be my God that gives me Light , VVho in the dark did grope ; Blest be my God , the God of Love , VVho causeth me to hope : Here 's the words Signets , Comforts Staff , And here is Graces Chain ; But these thy Pledges , Lord , I know My Hopes are not in vain . XXXI . A Song of Praise collected out of the Book of Psalms . 1. PSAL. 135.1 . O Praise the Lord , Praise Him , praise Him , Praise Him with one accord . Praise him , praise him all ye that be The Servants of the Lord. PSAL. 47.6 . Sing Praises to our God , sing Praise , Sing Praises to our King ; Praise to the King of all the Earth , VVith Understanding sing . 2. PSAL. 103.1 . My Soul give Laud unto the Lord , My Spirit shall do the same , And all the Secrets of my Heart , Praise ye his Holy Name . PSAL. 95.6 . Come let us bow and praise the Lord , Before him let us fall , And kneel to him with one accord , For he hath made us all . 3. PSAL. 95.7 . He is the Lord , he is our God , For us he doth provide ; VVe are his Flock , he doth us feed ; His Sheep , he doth us guide . PSAL. 118.21 . I will give Thanks unto the Lord , Because he hath heard me , And is become most lovingly A Saviour unto me . 4. PSAL. 118.13 . The Lord is my Defence and Strength , My Joy , my Mirth , my Song ; ●s is become for me indeed A Saviour most strong . PSAL. 118.28 . Thou art my God , I will confess , And render Thanks to Thee ; Thou art my God , and I will praise Thy Mercy towards Me. 5. PSAL. 118.29 . O give ye Thanks unto the Lord ! For gracious is He , Because his Mercy doth endure For ever towards Me. XXXII . Another . 1. PSAL. 26.6 . TO render Thanks unto the Lord , How great a cause have I ! My Voice , my Prayer , and my Complaint , That heard so willingly ? PSAL. 59.17 . Thou art my Strength , thou hast me stay'd , O Lord , I sing to Thee ; Thou art my Fort , my Fence and Aid , And Loving God to Me. 2. PSAL. 73.25 . What thing is there that I can wish , But Thee in Heav'n above ? And in the Earth there is nothing Like Thee that I can love : PSAL. 36.9 . For why ? the Well of Life so pure Doth ever flow from Thee ; And in thy Light we are full sure The lasting Light to see . 3. PSAL. 27.15 . My heart would faint , but that in me This Hope is fixed fast ; The Lord God's good Grace shall I see , In Life that ay shall last : PSAL. 48.13 . For this God is our God , our God , For evermore is He ; This God of ours even unto Death , Our faithful Guide will be . 4. PSAL. 17.17 . When I awake , I shall behold In Righteousness thy Face ; And I shall be most like to Thee , Even filled with thy Grace : PSAL. 16.11 . Full Joys are in thy Presence , Lord , ( A sweet and precious Store ) My God , at thy Right Hand there are Pleasures for evermore . 5. PSAL. 103.21 . Ye Angels which are great in Power , Praise Ye and bless the Lord , Which to obey and do his Will Immediately accord : PSAL. 103.22 . Ye all his Works in every place , Praise ye his Holy Name ; My Heart , my Mind , and all my Soul , For ever praise the same . XXXIII . A Song of Praise Collected from the Doxologies in the Revelation of St. John. 1. Rev. 1.5 . TO Him that lov'd us from Himself , And dy'd to do us good ; And wash'd us from our scarlet sins , In his own purest Blood. Rev. 1.6 . And made us Kings and Priests to God , His Father infinite ; To him Eternal Glory be , And Everlasting Might . 2. Rev. 5.12 . The Lamb is worthy that was slain , To have all Power and VVealth ; All Honour , Glory , VVisdom , Strength , Thanks for his saving Health . Rev. 5.13 . Thanks , Honour , Glory , Power to Him That on the Throne doth sit ; And to the Lamb for ever , and For ever , so be it . 3. Rev. 7.9 . Thousands of thousands of the Saints VVhich stand before their King , VVith shining Robes , and spreading Palms Loud Hallelujahs sing . Rev. 7.10 . Ascribe salvation to our God VVho sits upon the Throne , Thy Beams will make our Faces shine , In Thee we will rejoyce ; Thy Love is more to us than VVine , Thou art the Uprights Choice . 5. Ye Daughters of Jerusalem , Tho' I am Black , yet Fair ; Like Kedars Tents , like Ornaments Which Solomons Bed doth wear . 6. Look not with a disdainful Eye Upon my Sun-burnt Face ; My Mothers Children rag'd at me , And wrought me much disgrace ; Such was their Envy , such their Grudge , Their Vines must be inspected . Whilst at their Vines I was their Drudge , Mine own were quite neglected . 7. But , O Thou whom my Soul doth Love ! Tell me now from thy Breast , Where feeds the Flock ? where doth it move ? Where is its Noon-Tyde Rest ? Why should I stray , and lose my way , Till I at last do Fall Among thy Fellows Flocks , as they Themselves do proudly call ? Christ. 8. O Fairest Fair ! then go and Trace The Footsteps of my Sheep , And feed my Kids beside the Place Where my good Shepherds keep . 9. My Love , I have compared Thee To those Egyptian Mares , Which in King Pharaohs Chariots flee , O Fairest of all Fairs ! 10. Thy Cheeks are comely to behold , Which Rows of Jewels deck ; Large Chains of pure and shining Gold , Adorn thy Royal Neck . 11. I and my Father , we will make Borders of Gold for Thee , With Silver Studs for thy dear sake , That thou may ' st Richer be . The Church . 12. The King doth at his Table sit , And I that love Him well Do pour my Spikenard on his Feet , VVhich gives a Fragrant smell . 13. My VVelbeloved is to Me A Pomander of Myrrh ; Betwixt my Breast all Night shall He Be Lodg'd and never stir . 14. My VVelbeloved is to Me Like Aromatick VVines ; Like Clusters of the Camphire Tree Among Engeddi Vines . Christ. 15. Lo , thou art fair my only Love ; My Love , lo , thou art Fair ; Thou art my Love , thou art my Dove , Doves Eyes in thee appear . The Church . 16. Nay , my Beloved , thou art Fair , My Fairness is from Thee ; And thou art sweet beyond compare . VVhat a green Bed have we ! 17. The Beams are Cedars where we dwell , So strong they will not stir ; The Rafters send a pleasant smell , For they are made of Fir. The Paraphrase . CHAP. I. 1. Now will I sing of Christ the King , And of his Church the Queen ; The Song of Songs to them belongs , Where their pure Flames are seen . [ Dialogue . ] The Church to Christ. 2. LET my dear Saviours Love appear By some assuring sign ; Thou , Lord , my sainting Soul dost chear , When thou say'st , I am thine : Let others on their Danties feed , And drink the richest VVine ; My Feast do●● all their Feasts exceed , VVhen thou say'st , I am thine . 3. Thy Word which sounds thy mighty Fame , And how good thou hast been , Doth so revive , that for the same Souls love Thee , tho' unseen ; Souls of an Heav'nly make and frame , The Joyful Heirs of Grace , Do taste such Sweetness in thy Name , They long to see thy Face . 4. Fain would I , but I cannot move , Sin hath Enfeebled me ; O draw me with the Cords of Love ! I will run after Thee : Thou hear'st , thou draw'st , I come , I come , Thy Love ( my God ) is sweet ; Thy Presence-Chamber is the Room Where Souls and Joys do meet . Our Earthly Pleasures we forget , To think upon thy Love ; All upright Souls their Minds do set On Thee , my Lord , above . 5. Tho' I to Strangers black do seem , And under Foot am trod , Yet am I Fair in Heav'ns esteem , I am the House of God. 6. O do not scorn my outward state ! Ye know not what 's within ; Whom God doth love , how dare ye hate ? My Saviour hides my Sin ; Profest Church-Members should have brought Some Comfort to my Mind ; But did they Treat me as they ought , Alas ! they prov'd unkind ; Their Anger did my words controul , They Bow'd me to their Will : And so my own immortal Soul Declin'd and Fared ill . 7. Pitty my tempted state ; O Lord ! Whom still I do adore ; O bring me home by thy good Word ! My Lapsed Soul Restore ; Since , Lord , thy Mercies still abides , Shall I be lost among False Flocks , false Doctrines , and false Guides , Which do thine Honour wrong ? Christ . 8. My Church , to Me the World is dross , And thou a Pearl of Price ; And art thou Stray'd and as a Loss ? Attend to my Advice : Look back upon my Church of old , And mark which way they went ; And let thy Childrens Eyes behold The Pastors I have sent . 9. As Pharaohs Horses ( Egypts Pride ) Is deem'd the Choicest Breed ; So thou my Church , my Fairest Bride , All Fair Ones doth exceed . 10. Mans Eyes the outward state behold , Mine Eyes are on thy Heart . Whilst other'S shine with Pearl and Gold , Through Grace thou lovely art . 11. My Soul that loves thee is so glad Thy Stock of Grace to see , I and my Father , we will add A new supply to Thee . The Church . 12. My King doth Sit in Heav'n above , VVhere Angels do attend ; And from below , my Faith and Love Shall to my King ascend . 13. My Faith ascends unto my Lord , And brings him down to Me ; My Love a Bosom doth afford , VVhere he shall lodged be : O the sweet time , as if I was Reigning in Heav'n above ; VVhence once my Soul doth Christ embrace in Arms of Faith and Love ! 14. It is so sweet , when we do meet , My Joys in Christ exceed , The sweetest Smells , and Tasts , and Sighs , VVhich can our Senses feed . Christ 15. My dearest Church , I do admire The Beauties of thy Mind , So Meek , so Harmless , so Entire , So Faithful and so Kind . The Church . 16. My dearest Lord , thou art the Sun , By whose bright Beams I shine ; And then my Glory first begun , When thou becamest mine : Since thou art mine , and I am thine , A Num'rous Race do flow In every place , which to thy Grace , Their Birth and Being owe. 17. The dear Assemblies of thy Saints , Where thou my Lord dost dwell , Are sweet and pure , and shall endure Against the Gates of Hell. The VERSION . CHAP. II. Christ . 1. I Am the Rose of Sharon-Field , I am the Lilly White , The Lilly , which the Valleys yield , I am both sweet and bright . 2. What are Thorns in th' Account of Men , Vnto the Lilly bright ? What are the Fairest Daughters , when My Love appears in sight ? The Church . 3. What are the common Trees o' th' Wood Unto the Apple Tree ? What is the Rich and Noblest Blood , My lovely Lord , to Thee ? I sate Rejoycing in Times past Under his cooling Shade ; His Fruit was sweet unto my Tast , O what a Feast I made ! 4. Unto his Cellars stor'd with Wines , He caus'd Me to remove , Over my Head abroad he spread The Banner of his Love. 5. Give Flagons for a Cordial , Bring Apples Me to chear ; For I am sick , I faint , I fall , I languish for my Dear . 6. His Left Hand underneath my Head , For my Support is plac'd ; His Right Hand over me is spread , And thus I am Embrac'd . 7. O Salems Daughters , you I charge , Both by the Roe and Hind ; Ye do not move nor stir my Love , Until it be his mind . 8. My Welbeloved's Voice of Joy , My Heart with Comfort fills ; He comes Leaping on Mountains high , And Skipping on the Hills . 9. My Welbeloved comes in hast , Like a swift footed Roe ; Nay , my Beloved flies so fast , Young Hart did never so . Behind our Wall , lo ! he doth stand , He 's at our Windows seen ; He shews himself so near at Hand , There 's but a Grate between . 10. I gladly heard his gracious Tone , Who thus to me did say , Rise up , my Love , my Fairest One , Make haste and come away . 11. The Season of the Year invites , The Winters gone and past ; Behold a Spring of new Delights ! No Rain , nor stormy Blast . 12. The Flowers upon the Earth appear , The Birds begin to sing ; The People of our Land do hear The Turtles murmuring . 13. Green Figs upon their Trees are grown , Young Grapes their Smells display ; Rise up , my Love , my Fairest One , Make haste and come away . 14. O my Fair Dove , whose Fairness dwells In dark Obscurity , In cloven Rocks , and secret Cells , Come , shew thy self to me : O let thy Face to me appear , I 〈◊〉 thy Voice answer mine , Thy Voice is Musick in mine Ear , Thy Countenance doth shine . 15. Catch us the Foxes in a Toyl , The little Foxes catch ; For they our Fruitful Vines do spoil , Their tender Grapes they snatch . 16. My Welbeloved , he is mine , And I am his indeed ; In Pastures , which with Lillies shine , He makes his Flock to feed . 17. Till the day break , and shades depart , Beloved , hast to me ; Even as the Roe and tender Hart On Bether-Mountains flee . The Paraphrase . CHAP. II. Christ. 1. SVch is the Power of my sweet Love , My Church it sweetneth ; It sweetens Earth and Heav'n above , It sweetens Life and Death : Such is the Beauty of my Face , 'T is with such Glories crown'd , That Solomon's Glory must give place , To what shines me around ; As Lillies in the Valleys-grow , So I the Valleys own : The Humble are my Heav'n below , The Lowly are my Throne . 2. No comely Persons can I see , But whom my Grace adorns ; My Church a Lilly is to me , And all the Rest are Thorns . The Church . 3. None but a Jesus , none but He ! He is the Chiefest Good ; My Jesus is an Apple-Tree , And others Barren Wood : He is a Shadow from the Heat Of Conscience , Wrath and Hell ; He is true Manna , Heav'nly Meat , Which feeds his Israel : The Shadow of his Sacraments Hath been exceeding good ; Under that Shade a Feast I made Upon his Flesh and Blood. 4. My Christ is like a Cellar Stor'd With sweet and precious Wine ; What Sweetness found I in my Lord , When he said , I am thine ! As Souldiers to their Colours stand , And after them do move ; So doth my dearest Lord command , And draw me by his Love. 5. Nothing but Glory can suffice The Appetite of Grace ; I long for Christ with Restless Eyes , I languish for his Face . O take me up , or let me Sup On Promises Divine ; Those Apples from the Tree of Life , Those Flagons full of Wine . 6. How am I Born , whilst sick of Love , In those blest Hands of his ? His Left my Souls Support doth prove , His Right my Comfort is . 7. And whilst his Love doth me enflame , Hear what a Charge I give , All ye that own his Sacred Name , Do not his Spirit grieve : He is all Love , he is my Love , O do not him abuse ! Do not again put him to pain , Dear Christians , turn not Jews : Lord , leave us not ; yet if thou wilt , With Tears we 'll own thy Right ; But a Departure forc'd by Guilt , Makes a Tempestuous Night . 8. My dearest Saviours Voice I hear , He comes on my account ; Nothing can stop his full Career , No , not Corruptions Mount. 9. My Lord makes hast from Heav'n to Earth , And he himself presents , To Men of a polluted Birth , By Word and Sacraments : Tho' , like a Wall , our frail Estate Prevents a perfect Sight , Yet thro' his Ordinances Grate , Dart in some Beams of Light. 10. My Lord to me did thus begin , Arise , my Love , and flee From World , Flesh , Satan , Self and Sin , O come away to me ! 11. Time was when thou wast cold and dead , An Heir of Wrath thou wast , And Vengeance-Storms hung o're thy Head , But those sad Days are past . 12. The Flowers of Grace begin to spring In Thee so hopefully ; That all the Heav'nly Quire doth sing Glory to God on High. 13. My Church , thou art my tender Plant , My Dews have nourish'd Thee ; Now thou art 〈◊〉 mine , now thou must grant , Thy Fruit , thy Self to Me. 14. My heartless Dove , why dost thou faint , And hide thy self from me ? Thou know'st not how I love a Saint , How welcome thou should'st be : Come , come , before thy Lord appear , Thy Person joys my Sight ; Let me thy Prayers and Praises hear , Thy Voice is my Delight . 15. Ye Men of God , whose Charge it is , In God's Courts to attend ; Restrain those Enemies of his , Which do his Church offend . 16. Mine through my Faith is my dear Lord , His through his Love am I ; He feeds his People with his Word , Which tasts most pleasantly . 17. He feeds them with his Word of Grace , Till Glories Day appears ; Which all the Shades away shall chase , Of Sins , and Griefs , and Fears : Come Love , come Lord , come that long day , My earnest Expectation ; Shovel these Days out of the way , These Hills of Separation . The VERSION . CHAP. III. The Church . 1. HIM whom my Soul doth love , I sought By Night upon my Bed , I sought him , but I found him not , My Souls Delight was fled . 2. And slug I here ? I 'll now arise And go about the Town ; I 'll search the Streets and broader ways , Until I find my own : Up did I get , and out I went , My Dearest to regain ; But when I had my Labour spent , Alas ! it was in vain . 3. The City-watch did light on me , Of whom I did enquire , In any Street , pray , Did ye see , The Man , whom I admire ? 4. 'T was but a little while that I Had from the Watch-men pass'd , But I did find my only Joy , And then I held him fast ; I held , and would not let him go , Till I had brought him home , Into my Mothers House , and so Into my Native Room . 5. O Salems Daughters , you I charge Both by the Roe and Hind ; Ye do not move , nor ' wake my Love , Until it be his Mind . The Daughters of Jerusalem . 6. What smoaky Pillar strait from hence Out of that Desart Rises ; Perfum'd with Myrrh and Frankincense , And all the Merchants Spices ? The Church . 7. Such Ornaments his Bed do grace , As Solomons Bed commend ; Where threescore Men of Israels Race , His valiant Guards attend . 8. They all hold Swords couragiously , They all know how to Fight ; Each hath his Sword upon his Thigh , Because of Fear i' th' Night . The Chariot of King Solomon , Which for himself he made , Was of the Wood of Lebanon , Which Silver Pillars had . 10. Gold was the bottom , and above Rich Purple cover'd it ; The midst whereof was pav'd with Love , For Salems Daughters Fit. 11. Look , Virgins , on King Solomon , His Crown so Rich , so Gay , Wherewith his Mother Crown him on His Joyful Marriage-day . The Paraphrase . CHAP. III. The Church . 1. ONce did I seek my dearest Lord , But with a sleepy Mind ; His presence he did not afford ; Slack Seekers cannot find . 2. Shall I , said I ; forgoe my Christ , And so close up mine Eyes ? No , no , he was so dearly mist , I could not but arise . My Bed was Thorus , no Bed for me , Nothing could give me rest , Till I my dearest Lord might see , And can upon his Breast : VVhen private means could not prevail , In publick Him I sought ; I waited till my Eyes did fail , Alas ! I found him not . 3. God's holy VVatchmen did Me find , Of whom I did enquire , Pray , can ye help my troubled Mind , VVhich doth a Christ desire ? O happy Stars , if ye might be My Guides to Jesus now ! Seers , did ye my Saviour see ? Pray tell me where and how ? Means must be us'd , but cannot heal VVithout a Sovereign VVord ; Christ only can himself reveal ; And still I lack'd my Lord. 4. One dark Hour more I did sustain , And then the Night was past ; Tho' I had sought so long in vain , I found my Lord at last ; I found my Lord and held him fast , And would not let him part ; My New-found Jesus I embrac'd , And Lodg'd Him in my Heart : I would not lose my Christ again , And gain a Second Hell ; My Prayers and Tears did him constrain VVithin my Soul to dwell . As Clouds are pierc'd with powerful light , His Beams thro' me did shine ; His dear Assemblies saw this Sight , And joy'd that Christ was mine . 5. Christ's Love my Heart doth so inflame , This Charge I needs must give ; All ye that own his Sacred Name , Do not his Spirit grieve : He is all Love , he is my Love , O do not him abuse ! Do not again put him to pain , Dear Christians , turn not Jews : Lord , leave us not ; yet if thou wilt , With Tears we 'll own thy Right ; But a Departure forc'd by Guilt , Makes a Tempestuous Night . Weak Believers . 6. What Heav'nly Souls from Earth arise , And do at Heav'n aspire ! They mount , they soar , they fix their Eyes On God their chief Desire : Earths Wilderness they nobly scorn , Whilst others Rake for it ; Heav'ns Graces them do so Adorn , That they for Heav'n are fit . The Church . 7. Admire not me , but my dear Lord , Whose Bosom gives me rest ; Whose Angels watch with one accord , That none should me molest . 8. These Heav'nly Guards are full of might , And ready do they stand , For to defend his Churches Right , When he shall them command : When Darkness breeds tormenting Fear , Then help comes from on High ; A strengthing Angel doth appear Amidst that Agony . 9. Heav'n is the High and Glorious Throne , Of my most Glorious Lord ; Who yet on Earth Rides up and down I' th' Chariot of his Word . 10. His Word is rich , and strong , and pure , As all his Saints do prove ; VVho of its true Intent are sure , And find , it 's Heart is Love. 11. Go ye that own the Highest Name , Behold a Glorious Shew ; How the Almighty spreads his Fame ; And what his VVord can do : This mighty King Rides Conquering , His Word goes forth with Might ; VVhich wooes and wins the Slaves of Sin , Both by its Force and Light : Those Slaves their Hellish Lords forsake , And Christ do humbly own ; And as his Spouse , he them doth take , And wears them as his Crown : Great was their Need ; greater his Love Than their Necessity . As well they may , glad do they prove , But not so glad as He. The VERSION . CHAP. IV. Christ. 1. LO , thou art Fair , my only Love , My Love , lo ! thou art Fair ; Thine Eyes are like those of the Dove , Within thy Locks of Hair ; Thy Hairy Locks are like Goats Flocks , Which from Mount Gilead look . 2. So are thy Teeth like well-shorn Sheep ; Come from the Washing Brook ; They Pregnant are as well as Fair , For Fruit as well as View ; For each of them her Twins doth bear , There 's ●ot one barren Ewe . 3. Thy Lips are like a Scarlet-thread , Thy Speech is sweet and fine ; Within thy Locks thy Temples Red , Like broke Pomegranate shine . 4. Thy Neck is like to David's Tower , Strong built , and raised high ; A thousand Shields for Men of Power Hang in that Armory . 5. Thy two Breasts are like two young Roes Well shap'd and well agreed ; For they are loving Twins , and those Among the Lillies feed . 6. Vntil the Day have chas'd away The Dusky Shades , I will Betake me to the Mount of Myrrh , And to the Incense-Hill . 7. All over fair , my Love , thou art , And so thou seem'st to me ; There is not one uncomly Part , Not one dark Spot in Thee . 8. Come , Love , with me from Lebanon , From Lebanon , with me , Since Thou and I are joyn'd in One , Thy Lebanon I 'll be : From Shenirs Top , from Hermon book , And from Amana high , Those Lions Dens must be forsook , And where the Leoparc's lie . 9. My Spouse , my Sister , thou hast Gain'd A perfect Victory Over my Heart by thy bright chain , And by thy Brighter Eye . 10. How fair and pleasant is thy Love , My dearest spause to Me ! O how I prize it far above The Richest wines that be ! O how my Sisters Ointments smell , What sweetness do they yield ! This pleasant scent doth far Excel The sweet Arabian Field . 11. Thy Lips drop like the Honey comb , There Milk with Honey Flows ; I smell the smel●s of Lebanon , from The Garments of my Spouse . 12. My Sister and my Spouse is Veil'd , That she may be suppos'd ; A Spring shut up , a Fountain seal'd , A Garden well enclos'd . 13. Thou hast a pleasant Nursery , Where sweet Pomegranates grow , And Fruits which please both Taste and Eye , Thereto the Spices flow . 14. As Camphire , Spikenard , Calamus , Saffron and Cynamon , Myrrh , Aloes and Incense Trees . With each Spice of Renown . 15. A Garden Fountain is my Love , A Living Well is She ; Like Lebanons Streams which swiftly move , And down to Jordan flee . The Church . 16. Am I a Garden ? Then , O North , Awake , and on it Breath ; Thy quickning Breath will summon forth The Odours from Beneath : Am I a Garden ? Then , O South , Come , on this Garden blow ! One Sovereign Blast out of thy Mouth , vvill make its Spices flow : Then , then , into his Paradise , Let my Beloved come ; And eat his Fruits , and get his Spice , And count himself at home . The Paraphrase . CHAP. IV. Christ . 1. Mr Dearest Church , I do admire The Beauties of thy Mind , So Meek , so Harmless , so Entire , So Loyal and so Kind : Ev'n thy Profession I esteem , Because it springs from Grace , Which makes Thee yet more comely seem , As Hair adorns the Face . 2. Thy Pastors which prepare thy Food , Do in their Minds agree ; Their Lives and Doctrines both are good , And bring much Fruit to me . 3. Thy Speech so season'd is with Grace , That many Hearts it moves ; And Graces colour in thy Face , It s great Advantage proves . 4. Thy Faith which joyns thee to thy Head , Doth shield thine inward parts ; This Shield hath oft extinguished The Devil's Fiery Darts . 5. The two Breasts of thy Testaments Most friendly do accord ; Which Nourishment and sweet content To new Born Babes afford . The Cries of a Distressed Soul , These Breasts of Comfort still ; These Breasts make glad , whom Sin makes sad , These Breasts the Hungry Fill. 6. The Word is here the Churches Fare , And Faith the Churches Light , Till Shades give way to Glories Day , Then shall she live by Sight : Mean-while my Gracious Presence shall Her dear Assemblies fill ; Her Prayers shall be most sweet to me , Sweet as the Incense-Hill : Mean-while my Glorious Presence shall Fill Heav'n , that Holy Ground , Where Cherubims and Seraphims Their Hallelujahs sound . 7. My dearest Church , how clear art thou , On whom no sin remains ! My Blood apply'd hath purify'd Thee from thy Guilts and stains : Thou art to me as white as Snow , And tho' thou finnest still , Grace keeps thee in , thou canst not sin With full consent of Will. 8. Let my Fair Glories thee intice To come along with me ; Forsake thine Earthly Paradise , Thy Paradise I 'll be ; Birth , Pleasures , Riches , Friends and Fame , Are all summ'd up in Me. O that thou knew'st how good I am ! Come now and tast and see : The World 's an howling Wilderness , Fill'd with the Beasts of Prey ; Whilst that they Rage , Roar , and Oppress , On Canaan fix thine Eye . 9. My Heaven-born Spouse , whom I embrace , My Joy and Crown thou art ; Thine Eye of Faith , thy Chain of Grace Have overcome my Heart . 10. My Dearest Spouse of Heav'nly Birth , Thy Love is more to Me Than all the Pleasures of the Earth , And sweet thy Graces be . 11. Thy Speeches in thy Heart are bred , And sweetly do they flow ; Thy works do such a savour spread , As Lebanons Spices do . 12. Disguised to the World thou go'st , Heav'n in a Mystery ; To me thou Run'st , to me thou Flow'st , None knows thy worth but I : As thou art mine , so I am thine , My Love doth guard thy Heart ; Thy Heart 's with me , my Love 's with thee , My Church , how safe thou art ! 13 , 14. My Church thou art a Paradise , Where Fruits and Spices grow ; Fair are thy Fruits , and from thy Spice Thy sweetest Odours flow : Thy tender Plants thy Children are , Their Graces Fruits and Spice ; I am the Tree of Life in Thee , My Church , my Paradise . 15. Thou art a Spring , which to thy Plants D●st thy pure Streams derive ; Vnder thine Eye and Ministry Thy Blest Assemblies thrive . The Church . 16. My Lord , if I a Garden am , Then let thy Spirit blow ; And with its Gales refresh the same , And make my Graces flow : And when thy Spirit thus hath blown , And I do flourish most , Then let my Dearest Lord come down , And feed upon his Cost . So poor I am , so great thou art , The Lord , how can I Feast ? Furnish the Table of my Heart , Then come and be my Guest . The VERSION . CHAP. V. Christ. 1. I 'M come into a Paradise , My Sister and my Spouse ; I 've gather'd of my Myrrh and Spice , VVhich in my Garden grows . My Honey Comb and Honey too Have been my sweet Repast ; My Wine , my Milk which here do flow , Have chear'd my Heart and Tast : My Friends and dear Companions , Come , Feast your selves with Me ; Drink , O my Welbeloved Ones , Yea , Drink abundantly . The Church . 2. I sleep , but yet my Heart doth wake , Heark , my Beloved One Doth Knock and Call. I can't mistake His Knock , his Tread , his Tone : Open to Me , my Fathers Child , Open to Me , my Love ; Open to me , my Undefil'd , Open to me , my Dove : Open to me , that wait for Thee , My Head is fill'd with Dew ; And all my Locks with Ev'ning Drops , Let 's have an Enterview . 3. My Coat is off , and how shall I Put on my Coat again ? Should I come o're the Dusty Floor , My washed Feet to stain ? 4. My Dearest then by the key-hole His willing Hand did move ; Which when I did perceive , my Soul Was touch'd with Grief and Love. 5. Rowz'd by this Passion , I did stir , And answer'd to his Call ; My Hands and Fingers drop'd with Myrrh , Which from the Lock did fall . 6. Then did I open to my Dear , But he ( alas ! ) was gone ; He whom I did so lately hear , Methoughts I was undone : I sought him whom my Soul ador'd , But him I could not have , I call'd and cry'd , my Love , my Lord ! But He no answer gave . 7. Then did the cruel City-VVatch Smite Me , and wound Me sore ; The Keepers of the VVall did snatch Away the Veil I wore . 8. O Daughters of Jerusalem ! I charge You , if Ye find My Glorious Dear , that he may hear My Love afflicts my Mind . The Daughters of Jerusalem . 9. What Jewel is this Dear of thine , O Fairest , let us know ; Wherein does thine Others out-shine , That thou dost charge us so ? The Church . 10. My dear Delight is Red and VVhite , The Lilly and the Rose ; So sweet a Grace adorns his Face , Ten thousand he out-goes . 11. His Head is like the Finest Gold , And curled Locks doth wear , VVhich do the Ravens Colour hold , So comely is his Hair. 12. His Eyes are like the Eyes of Doves , VVhich on the Banks are met , And do the streams of VVater love , Milk-washt and fitly set . 13. His Cheeks are like a spicy Bed , VVhere all Perfumes do meet ; His Lips like Lillies , whence is shed The Myrrh that smells so sweet . 14. His Hands are like the Chrysolite In Rings of Gold display'd , His Belly is like Ivory bright , VVith Sapphires overlaid . 15. His Legs like Marble Pillars are On Golden Sockets set ; His Face , like Lebanon , is most Fair , Like Cedars most compleat . His Mouth is most exceeding Sweet , Yea , he is wholly so ; Down from his Head unto his Feet , VVith Sweetness he doth flow : O Salems Daughters , This is He Of whom ye did enquire ; This is the Friend that loveth Me , This is my Hearts desire . The Paraphrase . CHAP. V. Christ . 1. MY Love , ( my Dearest ) hath Me brought Whither thou didst Invite ; Thy Graces which my Hand hath wrought , Have been my Souls delight : Thou art a Vine , which with thy VVine , Both God and Man dost chear ; Feed on the Fruits prepar'd in Thee , A constant Feast is there . The Church . 2. Such drowsiness doth me possess , I live , and yet I die ; Some Life I have , no Liveliness , How dark and cold am I ! Here in the dark and deep I grope , Who us'd to live above ; Where is my Faith ? Where is my Hope ? Where is my wonted Love ? It is no Strangers Voice I hear , I know it is my Lords . He knocks both at my Heart and Ear , These are his loving words , Open to Me , my Fathers Child , Open to Me , my Love , Open to Me , my Undefil'd , Open to Me , my Dove . My Gracious Patience hath stood Long waiting at thy Door ; Fain would I enter for thy good ; Slight not thy Saviour . 3. One would have thought such melting words Should break an heart of Steel But I ( Alas ! ) so stupid was , Their Force I did not feel : My Answer was to this Effect , Lord , now I am at ease ; And Lord , if I should Thee respect , My Friends I should displease : Thy Service , Lord , would cost me dear , The World would me molest ; Thy heavy Cross how can I bear ? Do not disturb my Rest . 4. My Lord to this made no Reply , Only on Me he cast A sad and a Rebuking Eye , On which this sense I pass'd ; Dost thou my Patience thus requite , To make it longer bear ? Dost all my Love and Sufferings slight ? I look'd for better Fare ; This stirr'd my Love , my Grief and shame , Which put me to such pain . 5. That I resolv'd , whatever came , To own my Christ again , Accurst Temptations , be ye gone , And do not me restrain ; Satan Avaunt , let Me alone , I 'll have my Christ again : This Resolution gave some Ease To my distressed Mind ; My Griefs did then begin to cease , VVhen I to Christ inclin'd . 6. But when I did my self address , My Saviour to embrace ; Alas ! for my Unworthiness My Saviour hid his Face : For He is Great as well as Good , And will not be disdain'd ; Then his kind words , which I withstood , My Conscience sorely pain'd : O then I wish'd a thousand times That I had been so wise To shake off my Security , VVhen Christ bade Me arise : I sought him daily in his VVord , But him I could not have ; I call'd and cry'd , My Love , my Lord ! But he no Answer gave . 7. Earth did oppress whom Heav'n forsook , Nothing but Griefs I found , For they who to my Soul should look , My Soul did pierce and wound : Their words and deeds did both conspire , To grieve my grieved heart ; Their Scorns and Jears were Swords & Spears , VVhich did increase my Smart . But still my greatest wound was here , My Lord I could not find ; Had I my Lord , I should not care , Tho' others prov'd unkind . 8. Another Course I straightways took , I did repair to those VVho Sion wards do often look , And did my Case propose : Blest Souls said I who oft attend At the Almighties Court , My Case to you I do commend , That you may it report : A Lord I have or rather had , My VVelbeloved one ; His Presence us'd to make me glad , But , Ah , my Lord is gone ! If when you pray , he should acquaint You with his Love and Grace ; Tell him from me , my Heart doth faint And Languish for his Face . 9. VVho is , said they , this Lord of thine ? O Fairest , let us know ; VVherein does thine others out-shine , That thou dost Charge us so ? 10. My dearest Lord is VVhite and Red ; VVhite thro' his Purity , Red thro' his Blood which he did shed For such an one as I : VVas he not Red , but only White , The Lilly , not the Rose ; He might delight the Angels Sight , But I am none of those : Was he not White but only Red , A Sufferer for his sin ; His Blood would rest upon his head , Nor could I Joy therein : But my dear Lord is White and Red , This Mixture pleaseth me ; For , for my sins he suffered , When he from sin was free : What a reviving sight is this ? A righteous Saviour's Blood ; The Bath of Sin , the Spring of Bliss , Most pure , most sweet and good : The fond inchanted VVorld admires Their Idols here below ; Their creeping , groveling , poor Desires Their Childish Minds do shew : Did but my Glorious Lord appear , O did they him but know , What formerly their Glories were , Would be no longer so : The lesser Lights all disappear , When once my Sun doth shine ; And tho' Ten Thousand Lords were here , None could be like to mine : My Lord , he is the King of Kings , The Fairest of all Fairs ; Of all your fine and boasted things , None with my Lord compares . VVhat 's your thick Clay ? Your stones bring forth VVhich ye your Jewels call ; My Lord , he is of real worth , And goes beyond them all . 11. His Godhead and his Government Are infinitely pure , Most Glorious and most Excellent , And ever shall endure . 12. His is a pure and piercing Eye , Thro' all the Earth it moves ; VVhich the dark Hypocrite doth spy , And secret good approves . 13. His Cheeks appear most bright and clear , VVhen he himself doth shew ; Methinks I in a Garden walk , VVhere Flowers and Spices grow : VVhen he doth my affections stir , And speaks unto my Mind ; Methinks the Lillies drop with Myrrh , Such Savour do I find : So sweet a Grace adorns his Face , His Face , like Heav'n doth shine ; And O what Musick do I hear , VVhen he saith , I am thine ! 14. His Hands are like to Rings of Gold , The works of my dear Lord Are bright and comely to behold , His VVorks fulfil his VVord . The Tender Bowels of his Love , How precious they be ! VVhen I am Griev'd , his Bowels move , And loudly plead for me . 15. The sweet Proceedings of my Lord Are like his Purposes ; Holy and Pure , and Firm and sure , Both Love and Stedfastness : His Countenance Majestical All Rev'rence doth Command ; If he but Frowns on us , we fall , But if he Smiles , we stand . 16. His Mouth is most exceeding sweet , All sweetness like an Hive , One word of his like Honey is , O how it doth revive ! As I begun should I go on My Dearest Lord to Limn , You 'd say , all sweets compacte●●● And summed up in him . My Lord is Larger than Desires , Fairer than VVords can show ; One comely part fond Earth admires , My Lord is wholly so . O Heav'n-born Souls , This , This is he Of whom ye did enquire ; This is the Friend that Loveth me , This is my Hearts Desire : The VERSION . CHAP. VI. The Daughters of Jerusalem . 1. FAirest of Fairs , if thus it be , O whither is he gone ? Tell us , that we may seek with thee This thy Beloved One. The Church . 2. Down to his Garden he is gone , VVhere Beds of Spices are , That he may Feed and Feast thereon , And Gather Lillies there . 3. I am my VVelbeloved ones , My VVelbeloved's mine ; He Feeds and Treads in pleasant Meads , VVhere the bright Lillies shine . Christ. 4. My Love , like Tirzah , thou art Neat , And like Jerusalem , And like an Army so Compleat , Men fly for Fear of them . 5. O turn away thine Eyes from me , Thy bright and sparkling Eyes , To bear so great Felicity , My strength doth not suffice ; Thy Hairy Locks are like Goats Flocks VVhich from Mount Gilead look . 6. So are thy Teeth like VVell shorn sheep , Come from the VVashing-brook , They Pregnant are as well as Fair , For Fruit as well as View ; For each of them her Twins doth bear , There 's not one barren Ewe . 7. As broke Pomegranate seemeth Red , And shines exceeding clear , So do the temples of thy Head , Within thy Locks appear . 8. Thrice twenty Queens together stand , And fourscore Concubines ; And Virgins like the num'rous sand , Which to the Sea adjoyns . 9. My spotless Dove , she is but one , The Darling of her Mother , Who loves and prizes her alone , She knows not such another : The Daughters saw her comely Lines , And prais'd her Lovely Face ; Yea , all the Queens and Concubines Admir'd her Beauteous Grace . 10. VVhat Morn looks forth ? what Moon is there ? VVhat Sun may yonder be ? Fierce Troups with Flags display'd appear , O what a One is She ! 11. To the Nut-Garden down I went To see the Fruits below ; VVhether the Vines their Grapes did vent , And the Pomegranates grow . 12. My Soul gave me a sudden twitch And made me nimbly slide , Like those swift Chariots , in which Amminadib did Ride . 13. Return , Return , O Shulamite . Return , Return Apace That we may look with much delight Vpon thy Glorious Face : What in the Shulamite I pray , Do ye expect to see ? Two Armies set in good Array Even such a one is she . The Paraphrase . CHAP VI. The Church . 1. WHilst thus my dearest Lord I prais'd , As I could do no less ; They heard , they look'd , they stood amaz'd At my great happiness : And when I ceas'd they thus reply'd , O Fairest we must needs Congratulate thy Blest Estate , Which ours so far exceeds : O that we were in such a Case As we perceive thou art ; O that our Souls might find a place In thy Beloved's Heart : Whither is thy Beloved gone ? Pray , let us go with thee , To seek thy Well beloved One , Whose Face we fain would see . 2. If you my dearest Lord would see , Then go unto his Court , Look where his Saints Assembled be , Thither you must Resort : For they his Pleasure-Gardens are , Where he delights to be ; They are his Comfort and his Care , There you my Lord may see : Some Souls he breeds , and some he feeds , Others he doth remove ; Hence for his lower Gardens to His Paradise above . 3. I am my Well-beloved ones , My Well-beloved's mine ; To me his Love a Feast doth prove , Beyond the Richest Wine . Christ . 4. My dearest Church , on whom I see A Fair and Royal Stamp ; All sweetness joyn'd with Majesty , Thou art both court and camp . 5. Thy Prayers are arms , thy Praises charms , Thy Love is like a Dart ; Thy Faith and Graces are so strong , They overcome my Heart : Thy Fair Profession I esteem , Because it springs from Grace , Which makes thee yet more comely seem , As Hair adorns the Face . 6. Thy Pastors which prepare thy Food , Do in their Minds agree , Their Lives and Doctrines both are good , And bring much Fruit to me . 7. Thy countenance so shines with Grace , That many Hearts it moves ; And Grace's colour in thy Face , It s great Advantage proves . 8. The World presents its glorious Shews , But what are those to me ? In my dear Church , my only Spouse , All Glories do I see . 9. Earths Pride would soon confounded be , Should but my Spouse appear , Who to her mother and to me Is so exceeding dear . Her Noble Birth and Real Worth , Have gain'd her so much Fame , The greatest Princes of the Earth Have prais'd her worthy Name . 10. Her Sweetness joyn'd with Majesty , Her Presence much Endear'd ; Her Power with her Purity Made her both lov'd and fear'd . 11. I have been with my new born Saints , I have been down to see What Buds were on my tender Plants , What hopes of Fruit for me . 12. When my dear Church , I hid my Face , Thou did'st thy self bemoan ; I did but prove thy Faithful Love , When thou thought'st I was gone : My Bowels yearn'd when thou didst Cry , My Love did me constrain ; To haste apace , and shew my Face To thy griev'd Soul again . 13. Return , Return my dearest Church , Return , Return to me ; The Heav'nly Quire , and I desire Thy Blessed Face to see : My Heav'nly Host , if ye would know My Churches State and Case ; She is another Host below , And of an awful Grace . The VERSION . CHAP. VII . Christ . 1. O Daughters of a Prince how Fair Are both thy Shooes and Feet ! Thy Joynts and Thighs like Jewels are , Wrought by an hand discreet . 2. Thy Navel as a Cup compleat , With Liquor doth abound ; Thy Belly 's like an Heap of Wheat , Which Lillies do surround . 3. Thy two Breasts are like two young Roes , Well Shap'd and well agreed , Both which are Loving Twins , and those Among the Lillies Feed . 4. Thy Neck , like I vory is most Fair , And like a Tower most straight ; Thine Eyes like beshbon pools , which are Hard by Bath-Rabim Gate : Thy Nose is like to Lebanons Tower , The Tower which doth Command Damascus-Town , the Chiefest Flower Of all the Syrian Land. 5. Thine Head on thee like Carmel is , Thine Hair , like Purple stain'd ; The Galleries so take his Eyes , The King is there detain'd . 6. How Fair art thou , how pleasant art , My Love , unto my sight ! So sweetly Grac'd in every part ; Thou art my whole delight . 7. 〈◊〉 Vnto a Palm-Tree I compare , Thy Stature straight and fine ; Thy Breasts appear both full and fair Like Clusters of the Vine . 8. 〈◊〉 I said I will this Palm-Tree Climb , I 'll search her Branches well ; Thy Breasts shall now like Clusters shew , Thy Nose like Apples swell . 9. 〈◊〉 Thy Palate's like the choicest Wine , Which for my Friend I keep ; Which sweetly Flows , and causeth those To Speak that are asleep . The Church . 10. I am my Well-beloved's own , And He is wholly mine ; The Stream of his Affection Doth towards me incline . 11. Come , my Beloved , let us go Into the Fields abroad ; And in the Villages below Let 's take up our Abode . 12. Let 's go up early in the Morn , And to the Vineyards go ; To see what Fruits the Trees adorn , Whether the Vine doth grow : Whether the tender Grapes appear , And the Pomegranates thrive , ( The Hopes of the Ensuing Year ) There thee my Loves I 'll give . 13. The Mandrakes smell , and at our Door All pleasant Fruits there be , Both New and Old which are my Store , Laid up , my Love , for Thee . The Paraphrase . CHAP. VII . Christ. 1. O Daughter of the Mighty God , How comely are thy Feet ? VVith Gospel-preparation Shod ! Thy carriage how discreet ? 2. Thou art both Fair and Fruitful too , Great Numbers thou dost Breed , VVhich with good Meals , the VVord and Seals , Thou liberally dost feed , 3. The two Breasts of thy Testaments Most friendly do accord ; VVhich Nourishment and sweet content To New-born Babes afford : The cries of a distressed Soul , These Breasts of comfort still ; These Breasts make glad whom sin makes sad , These Breasts the Hungry ●ill . 4. Thy Faith is thy strong Fort and Tower , Thine Vnderstanding clear ; Thy Judging and Discerning Power Informs when Danger 's near : Thy Christ , thy Head of Eminence All Others doth exceed ; Thy Christ , thy Head of Influence Thy Grace doth keep and feed : VVhen thine Assemblies Exercise Their Graces freely given , The King walks in those Galleries , As in another Heaven . 6. My Church , who art most New , most Fair , How Dear art thou and Sweet ; In whom all Sweets compacted are , In whom all Graces meet ? 7. Vnder thy weight thou flourishest As the stout Palm-Tree doth ; My Church , the more thou art deprest , The greater is thy growth : The Breasts of thy two Testaments , Like Clusters of the Vines ; Are full of Juice , which for thy use Tield store of Heav'nly Wine . 8. When I perceiv'd thy Soul to thrive , Like to a Fruitful Tree ; Then I drew near , that I might chear , And joy my self in thee , Nor did I empty-handed come , But added to thy Store ; God's Word came then more near and home , Thy Graces scented more . 9. Thy Speech is like the choichest VVine , So lovely and so strong ; It makes the Sinners Heart divine , And sanctifies his Tongue . The Church . 10. My dearest Lords Affection I cannot but admire ; I am my welbeloved's own , I am his Hearts desire . 11. I gladly with my Lord could talk , And spend both Night and Day ; Come Lord , let us together walk , Let us together stay . 12. Come let 's go see what Fruits and Flowers Adorn thy Garden place , Under the Sun shine and the showers Of days and means of Grace : Could I but see thy Children Spring , And in an happy frame ; O how should I rejoyce and sing , And love thee for the same ! 13. Thy Saints their Services present , Which of Sweet Savour be ; Saints New and Old within my Tent , Are kept from Heav'n and thee . The VERSION . CHAP. VIII . The Church . 1. I Would to God thou wert as near To me as is my Brother , That Fill'd the Lap and Suck'd the Pap Of my most tender Mother : When I without should light on thee , Then I thy Lips would Kiss ; Yea , I should not despised be , Nor disesteem'd for this . 3. I 'd bring thee to my Mothers Tent , Who would instruct me there ; Pomegranate-Wine of pleasant scent Should be thy Royal Fare . 4. His Left Hand underneath my Head Should lovingly be plac'd . His Right Hand or'e me should be spread , Thus should I be Embrac'd . 4. Ye Daughters of Jerusalem , 'T is You I charge and bind , Not once to move , or wake my Love Until it be his Mind . The Daughters of Jerusalem . 5. Out of the Desart doth Ascend A comely Sight to see ; One Leaning on her dearest Friend , O what a One is She ! The Church . Under the shady Apple-Tree Thee did I Raise and Rear ; Thy Mother Travell'd there with Thee , Thy Native Place was there . 6. O Seal thine Image on thy Heart , O'Seal it on thy Arm ! For Love , like Death , doth cast its Dart , And Jealousie is warm : 'T is like the Grave , whose keen desire Nothing can satisfie . The Coals thereof are Coals of Fire That flame most vehemently . 7. Waters can't quench loves flame , nor floods Can Loves height overflow ; If one for Love would give his Goods , The Price would be too low . The Jewish Church . 8. No Breasts on our small Sister grow , Nor is She yet Admir'd ; What shall we for our Sister do , When she shall be desir'd ? Christ . 9. We 'll build on her a Silver Court , If she a VVall shall be ; Or if a Door , Her we 'll Support VVith Boards of Cedar-tree . The Jewish Church . 10. I am a Wall both strong and tall , My Breasts like Towers are round ; ( I then his Sight did much delight , As one that Favour Found . ) Christ . 11. At Baal-Hammon , King Solomon A Vineyard did possess ; Keepers he sent to the Intent They might his Vineyard dress : And thus with them he did agree , That for the Fruit it gave , A thousand silver Pieces he Of each of them should have . 12. My Vineyard which belongs to Me , I know not how to spare ; It ever lies before mine Eyes , It is my constant care . But thou , O Solomon , must have A thousand for thy Gains ; And those that keep its Fruit may crave Two Hundred for their pains . 13. And now farewel thou that Dost dwell In Gardens here below ; As thy Companions hear thy Voice So let me hear it too . The Church . 14. Haste my Beloved like a Roe Which soon her course fulfils ; O that thou wert like a young Hart Upon the Spicy Hills ! The Paraphrase . CHAP. VIII . The Church . 1. LORD that thou wert as near to me As is my Mothers Son ; Such freedom should I have with thee , As if we both were One : I would impart my very Heart To one that was so near ; VVhose nearness should advance my Love Above all Slavish fear . 2. Gods Holy Church , my Mother Dear , Sould me such Lectures Read ; I should provide such Heav'nly Chear , VVhereon thou lov'st to Feed . 3. And then shouldst thou thy Love display , The Riches of thy Grace , Thy Left Hand then my Head should slay , Thy Right my Heart embrace . 4. Christs Love my Heart doth so inflame , This Charge I needs must give ; All ye that own his Sacred Name Do not his Spirit grieve : Lord , leave us not ; if yet thou wilt VVith Tears we 'll own thy Right ; But a Departure forc'd by Guilt Makes a Tempestuous Night . VVeak Christians . 5. VVhat strange Aspiring Souls are those VVhich do this VVorld disdain ; VVho on their Lord themselves repose , Heav'ns Kingdom to obtain . The Church . Under thine Ordinances Shade I Sought and found thine Aid ; For there thine Entrance first was made , Thy Graces first Conveigh'd . 6. Lord bear my Name upon thy Breast , Engrave it on thine Heart ; There let it be so sure possest It thence shall ne're depart : For Love , like Death doth cast its Dart , VVhich wounds me to the quick ; Thy Presence , Lord , supports my Heart ; Thy absence makes it Sick. Shouldst thou but seemingly disdain My Heart so deep Engag'd , I should be Tortur'd with such pain As could not be asswag'd . O Love Me , Lord , or else I die ! Thee , Lord , my Love doth crave ! My Lord , shouldst thou my Love deny , My Love would be my Grave . My Love doth flame my Jealousie , So burns my Heart and Eyes . I must embrace my Lord , or I Must be Loves Sacrifice . 7. Whole Seas of Trouble cannot quench Loves everlasting Fire : Though Hell oppose , whom I have chose , I cannot but Admire . None but a Christ , none but my Lord , No Brides can take with Me ; A proffer'd World would be abhorr'd ; A Christ , and none but He ! The Jewish Church . 8 , Remember the Blind Nations , Lord , Who in a Dungeon grope , And lack the Sun-shine of thy Word , Yet Prisn'rs are of Hope . When once the Hour of thy Design Hath on these Captives Shone , When they are call'd and own'd for Thine , What shall be further done ? Christ . 9. If they be constant to my Name , And firmly hold my VVord ; They shall be blest with strength and fame , And honour'd by their Lord : If they will open at my Call , That I with them may dwell ; I 'll hold them fast , and make them last Against the Gates of Hell. The Jewish Church . 10. Lord , I am constant to thy Name , And firmly hold thy Word ; ( I had a Smile upon the same From my most Gracious Lord. ) Christ. 11. I nor admire nor imitate Those who their Vineyards Let ; Who of their Profit do abate , That they some Ease may get . 12. My Church and Vineyard is alway My care and my Delight ; I my self keep it every Day , And watch it every Night : Drest by my Hand , watch'd by my Eye , Its Fruit to me abounds ; The Praise of its Fertility Wholly to me redounds . 13. My Dearest Church , who art compos'd Of divers companies ; Now we have both our Minds disclos'd , I 'll end with this Advice : As all thy Members give an Ear Vnto thy Gracious Strain ; So let Me often from thee hear , Vntil we Meet again . The Church . 14. Ah my dear Saviour ! pity Me , Preserve Me in thy Heart ; And Oh make hast , make hast , that we May Meet and never part . DIVES AND LAZARUS . IN Judah's Vale a Man of Wealth abode , Vile as a Beast , yet Worship'd as a God ; Who Tyrian Cloaths , and Egypts Linnen-ware , And on whose Table met Land , Sea and Air. Beneath the Threshold of his Out-most Gate A pale , deformed , horrid Carcass Sate : Another Job . But of more Fixed Woes , Who from his Dunghil never once arose . * God Help Me was his Name . God was his all , Those few that knew him , Lazarus him did call . Need , Pain and Scorn at once did on him lie ; His Bed was Earth , his Covering was the Sky : Nothing had he to pay of Natures Scores ; Empty he was of Bread , but full of Sores . Hunger ( that Wrack ) will make a Man confess , What modest Minds endeavour to oppress : Sharp Hunger whets the Wit , and mends its strain , It hurts the Bowels , but it helps the Brain . A Servant pass'd the Gate , where , lo ! he found This Ruful Odject groveling on the Ground . Said Lazarus , Sir , if Pity be my due , Give to your Master what I give to you . Lazarus his Petition . MOst Noble Sir , I humbly crave What Nature doth exact from Me ; I am a Borderer on the Grave , Half slain with sharp Necessity . For Childrens Bread I do not Call ; I do not Ask you Servants Fare ; Only the Sweepings of your Hall I Beg ; and what your Dogs may spare . Doom Me not , Sir , to perish at your Gate , Who may Preserve Me , at so Cheap a Rate ; For Father Judah's sake some Fragments give , I 'll serve You at God's Altars whilst I live . Dives his Answer . WHat Dog is this that dares Presume on Me ? Accurst be all such Crawling Toads as He ; Pests of my Gate , Vermin that Creep so Nigh — I Hate 'em ; Let Him Rot and Die. In vain the poor Mans thoughts pursu'd his Suit ; The Dogs were humane , but their Lord a Brute ; They left their Snarling to their Masters Face ; They Ran , and Lazarus gently did embrace . He was the pity'd Patient of those Hounds , Whose lambent Tongues did cool his burning wounds . This done , the squalid Vassals of the Times Scorn'd ragged Virtue , Honour'd purple Crimes : Things are mis-judged by the purblind Eye , Which views their Posture , not their tendency : Till Justice ' wakes to right its injur'd Laws , Which doth not weigh the Person , but the Cause . Nor Rags , nor Sores , are Clouds that can disguise A splendid Soul to Heavens Soul-searching Eyes ; Earths Laz'rus was Heavens Dives ; Earths disdain Was a meet Guest for Heaven to entertain : Now comes the Golden Hour that sets him free From his Apprenticeship to misery : His Corps ( the Graves old Neighbour ) long Uddrest , At length is slip into its Bed of Rest : A Treasure 't is , tho' Funeral-costs it wants ; The Richest Mineral is the Dust of Saints ; He was his own ( most serious ) Mourner here ; He Mourn'd enough ; He needs no Hired Tear. The time is come , that Lazarus must be clad With such fine Linnen , Dives never had : The time is come , that Lazarus must be Fed With Heavens rich Juices , and with Angels Bread. There is a Table richly Spread above , There is an Everlasting Feast of Love ; A Feast which Friends and Friendship doth mantain , Pale Envy is not there , nor proud disdain ; They all are One ; In One they all agree , One is there all , which makes all one to be ; Here 's Height of Mirth , with Depth of Seriousness , Plenty without the Hazard of Excess ; Here are full Joys in Hand , full Joys in View , Here Wine and Appetite are ever new : Ever begins their Feast and n're do end , Whom growing Loaves and Living Springs attend ; Their Harps are well-strung Hearts , well-tuned And Sacred Hallelujahs are their Songs ; ( Tongues ) Here sit the Saints , Here the Believers Sire , Is Nobly Seated in his Rich Attire ; Hither the King of Heaven new Guests doth call , Nor can he come too late that comes at all . The mighty One who dwells and rules on High , Angels attend with an obedient Eye : The Secrets of his Breasts they do not Skill , But are the trusty Servants of his Will. Thus charg'd he them , ' Bring Lazarus to the Feast , ' And let him take his Place next Abraham's Breast . They heard with Rev'rence , and obey'd their King , Joy rais'd their Hearts , & nimbly shook their Wing . They fled from Heaven , yet Heaven was with them still , It was their Heaven to do their Masters Will. They stopt not at the Stars ( that pompous show ) Who went to view a Brighter Star below : The Point design'd they well did understand , Who had old Voyagers been to Canaans Land. There they had been Lots Guests ( who was their There had they been Elisha's flaming Guard. ( Ward ) In that Land chiefly lay their Lords Affairs ( Wares ) They traffiqu'd there for Souls ( those precious Soon came they where Sick Lazarus had his Lare , They stop'd and waited for their Passenger . No visitant found they with him , but the Lord ; No Nurse , but Faith ; no Cordial , but the Word . They heard him praying , ' Lord , some Mercy Show , ' For I can find no mercy here below . This said , he sigh'd , and was of Life bereav'd ; He gave his Soul , and they his Soul receiv'd , With Shouts and Songs triumphant up they went , And to the Company did him present ; They shouted all , and joy'd the New come Guest , How gently stoops and leans on Abrahams Breast● Whom Dives Curs'd and stately Fools disdain'd , How is he Blest ! how is he Entertain'd ! Tho' Vertue here on Earth neglected lies , Yet Heaven will raise it , for 't is born to rise . Dives , that silken God , must never dye Unless his Creatures and false Prophets lye . He 's safe , if Death be cast as far behind His Body , as it is below his Mind . He 's always young ; He learns it from his Glass , Which smooths his furrow'd Brow and paints his face . But a Cold striking hand consutes the Lie. Down falls his Flattering Glass , his Fancies dye ; His Garden-walks must him no longer know , The Life-tree in his Garden doth not grow : His Palace must be chang'd for a dark Tomb , That was his Inn , but this must be his Home ; He must no longer at his Table stay , The Voider ( Death ) is come to take away : Death , that abhorr'd ( both Name and , ) thing comes on ▪ And potently torments this Potent One ; It makes Amazing Breaches , and in short , Hath seiz'd the Out-works , and attacks the Fort : In what a wretched Posture doth he lye ! He cannot live , and yet he dares not dye . His Debt must be distrain'd ; for he 'll not pay , Nor yield his Ghost ; it must be fetcht away ; He sprunts , he struggles , but Death keeps him under , And with one stroke tears Flesh and Soul asunder ; Then rang the House with his five Brethrens Cries , Alas ! our Brother ; so they clos'd his Eyes . His outward parts are wash'd , his inner Rooms Stuffed with Arabian Sweets and rich Perfumes . Now Death his Purple is , now he 's allow'd Fine Linnen too , but 't is a Fun'ral Shrowd ; Grave-fac'd Spectators with their Garments torn , And Shrouded Lips attend , the Room doth mourn . Ah what a poor Revenge is this on Fate ! For him that cannot live , to Lie in State. Amidst the Gazing Crowd the Bearers come , With Pomp they bring him to his painted Tomb. Minstrels and Trumpeters their Noises joyn , And Women sell false Tears for Currant Coyn. Now lest his Friends should in salt streams be drown'd The Cup of Consolation goes its Round . But stay , my Soul ; 't is Death that thou must view , Not shadows which dead Bodies do Ensue . What a dark Notion and Abstrusity , Is this to living Men , that they must die ! Grim Death on his pale Horse Triumphant Rides , He strikes us through our nearest Kinsmans Sides : Yet are we sensless , as the stupid Mule , Live as Exceptions from the Common Rule ; We cast a Cloth o're Death ; 't is soon forgot , We charm the Serpent , and it stings us not . Now might one let this pleasant Error pass , If Death was all , but Death his Second has , When once the Dissolution Hour is come , Out goes the Soul to hear her Final Doom . You who have slightly heard the Fun'ral Knell , Now hear the Voice which dooms the Ghost to Hell , For those whose hearts an Earthquake will not shake , Thro' Heav'ns Loud-roaring Cannons may awake . Dives black Ghost ( all Horrour and Despair ) Is from its Prison snatch'd to th' dismal Bar ; Behind him the impatient Devils roar . His Sins ( those worst of Devils ) stand before ; With Terrors thus besieg'd in every place , He hears a Voice , but might not see the Face . The Voice was roaring Thunder in his Ears , The words were tearing Bolts and flaming Spears ; " Go thou accurst , vile Caitif , hence away " To damned Ghosts , Come Devils , take your prey . Struck with this Thunder , down he sunk , he fell , And was a Triumph to the Fiends of Hell. Th' ingenious Tyrants did a Council pack , Their Malice set their Wits upon the Wrack : When they had joyntly study'd to Torment , For their pale Prisoner then in haste they sent ; They chain'd and stak'd him to a furious Flame , Where constant streams of Brimstone feed the ●ame , Behold Sins Martyr , and Hells Sacrifice ! He yells and howls , and vents unpity'd Cries . He finds no Friendly Ear , or tender Eye , He feells a thousand deaths , but cannot die : Like burning Brass he 's Fir'd in every part , A Vultur lives upon his living Heart . God's gone , he 's gone , and what an Hell is this , To be depriv'd of everlasting Bliss ! O this Eternal Banishment is worse Than all the Remnant of the Dooms-day Curse . This Hell of Hell may thus be understood , No torments are so bad as God is good . Besides , an Appetite in Man doth lie , Which nothing but a God can satisfie ; And tho' this Appetite be here deluded By various Objects , in God's room obtruded . Yet when at death all these are laid aside , Then thirsts the Soul for God , but is deny'd ; This Thirst unquench'd is such an inward Flame , An Hell in Hell is its deserved Name ; In Hell there cannot be an Atheist , 'T is Hell in Hell that God is dearly mist . Poor Dives cries , The God for whom I starve , " I cannot see , because I would not serve , " I Bleed to think , ( and thinking is my Fate ) " He often knocked at my Bolted Gate . " Where are those Baits on which my Lusts did prey , " The Price of which I cast my self away ? " Where 's now my Pomp and Pride , my Feasts & Sports , " Whose Chains detain'd me from the Sacred Courts ? " O did my House so near the Temple stand , " O did I perish out of Judahs Land ! " Might I be try'd once more ! But 't is too late , " Justice hath lock'd the Golden Mercy-Gate : " Now I believe , and tremble : I repent , " But my Repentance is my Punishment : " It is not Virtue , but Necessity ; " Alas , how miserable wise am I ? " Might I return now to that happy Night , " Which veil'd me er'e my Parents saw the Light , " Ah me ! must I lie here ! and ne're come out , He raves and flings his curses round about . He curs'd both Heaven & Hell , he curs'd the Earth , He curs'd the Day that witness'd to his Birth : But neither can his tears his Griefs asswage , Nor does it cool his Heart to vent his Rage . This Keen Reflection makes the Furnace Glow . " It must be ever with me as 't is now . " Hells Flames no Ashes will produce : But I " Must ever Dying Live , and Living Die. " Souls for themselves the Balm of Patience bear , " 'T is the Poors Physick , but it grows not here ; " My Soul is filled with Home-bred tears and taunts , " 'T is its own Fury , and it self it haunts : " Pity was wont in Miseries House to dwell , " But I am haled by the Hounds of hell . " Time us'd to be a Surgeon good at wounds , " But I am got beyond its happy Bounds . " A Vessel charg'd with scalding wrath am I " Hoop'd in the Circle of Eternity . You who affect the pleasant Path to Hell , And love Damnation in its Causes well , Look streight before you on your Journeys End , Do ye not see th' infernal smoak ascend ? Have not some sparks into your Bosoms Flown , Wh'reby the Neighb'ring Coasts may well be known . Bold sinner , stop , no further progress make , Lest your next step be in the Fiery Lake ; But , Oh! He ridicules his souls affairs , And labours to be damn'd at unawares . His Humour will not bear a Countermand , Alas for them who hate to understand ! Who on their souls Experiments will try , At the Charge of a sad Eternity . Alas for them who never will awake , Till they are plung'd into the burning Lake ! Dives was hear struck blind with flatt'ring Lies , Now the Hell brand lifts up his flaming Eyes ; He spies the Region where the happy dwell , But Heaven at distance is another Hell : He spies a Canaans Feast , for chiefly there , The Natives of his Countrey do appear ; He spies Blest Abraham with his faithful Race , And Lazarus sitting next to Abrahams place . Oh! how it twinges and torments his Eyes ? His scorn to Envy turns , and thus he cries , " This Scoundrel who lay Starving at my Gate , " Is now a Peer in Heaven , an Angels Mate ; " The Beggar sits and feeds on Angels Fare , " His Rags are Robes , such as Heavens Nobles wear : " The Dog , whom in derision once I had , " Is turned into a Star , which makes me Mad. Now Dives is the Beggar , and applies Himself to Abraham with his Mournful Cries . Dives his Petition . AH Father Abraham , Pity me , Who with tormenting Flames am Stung , For pity whither should I Flee But to the Bowels whence I Sprung ? The Grapes Rich Blood I do not Crave , vvaters Cheap Element will Suffice ; And tho' my Tongue thirsts for a vvave , For one poor drop it only Cries . By Lazarus ●●oist'ned Finger may you please To give my scorched tongue one Moments Ease . I dwell in Flames , and Flames in Me do dwell , O for a Drop from Heaven to sweeten Hell. Mark how the Wheel is turn'd , the time is come , He begs a Drop who once deny'd a Crumb . Right-thinking Judges then must needs approve . The tart and equal Answer from above . Abraham's Answer . ARt thou forlorn of God , and com'st to me ? What can I tell thee then but Misery ? Remember , Son , the Heav'n thy Feet have trod , Earth was thy Heav'n , and Pleasure was thy God. Remember Lazarus had his Hell below , Thou wert the Devil which did cause his woe ; Now are his rags Heav'ns robes with glorious Beams , Thy Purple , Flames , thy Juncats , Sulphrous Streams . Is he thy Wish who was thy Scorn before ? Shall Lazarus now be welcome to thy door ? And dost imagine some fair Bridge to lie , Betwixt the White and Black-Eternity ? No there 's a mighty Gulf which rends in twain , The Fiery Region and the Aetherial Plain . We are too happy to be dispossest , And you so cursed you can ner'e be blest ; We are so rais'd , that we can never fall , And you so sunk , you cannot rise at all . Once Angels went from Heaven to Hell ; but first They blackned were to Devils , and accurst ; Since those Stars fell none of the heav'nly hosts , Or did or shall visit th' infernal Coasts . To yon 't is bitter , but to us 't is sweet , That we are parted and must never meet ; Heav'n were not Heav'n , if it near Hell was plac't , Nor Hell were Hell , if it of Heaven might taste . Can our pure Light with Smoak & Darkness dwell ? The Poles shall sooner meet than Heaven and Hell. Though Speech avails not , wracking misery Extorts from him another fruitless Cry. Dives his Second Petition . IF such an Envious Gulf there be , Yet , Father , lend an Ear to me : From Earth to Heaven a way is Pav'd ; How else came Lazarus to be Sav'd ? Let me so small a Boon entreat , That Lazarus may his Steps Repeat , And that he may embody'd go , And tell the Stories of my Woe . To my Five Brethen , who all dwell within My Fathers House ( Oh had he never been ! ) Brethren in Bonds of Nature and of Sin. O let him tell them that there is a God , Whose Scepter is a Sin-revenging Rod ; And let him tell them that advent●rous Dr●lls , Shall find unto their Costs that they have Souls . Mine stuckt'th ' Scabbard , till its angry Lord Vnsheath'd it , and it prov'd a flaming Sword : That Limbeck , Death , draws Spirits from our Clay , To th' Element of Souls they hast away ; And let him tell them , that the Sadducee Shall be Hells Convert , and Recant with me . Whilst they lie Sleeping on the Brink of Hell , The Smoak they fee not , nor the Brimstone smell : There they 'l disport themselves with Golden Dreams , Till they betray 'em to these burning streams : But let him scare them with an hollow sound , That they ( like Lot ) may flee their cursed Ground : O send him quickly lest they tumble in , And prove the flaming Records of my sin : Can I no water get at my desire ; Yet , O , no more , no more , new Fleaks of Fire . This Abraham heard with unrelenting Ears , No pity's due to Hell-Hounds Cries and Tears . Abraham's Answer . ONnce Heav'n bow'd down & touch'dth ' Arabian Hill , And gave a Sampler of the sacred Will To Moses Hands , that chosen Man of God , Copies were taken and dispers'd abroad . ( So his kind Arms abroad the River flings , So the free Sun extends his fruitful Wings ; As this most Sacred Light it self displays , And Guilds the Tents of Jacob with its rays . ) For Saints to come from God there is no cause , Himself came down and did promulge his Laws : Needs Lazarus take a Journey from the Sky , When wisdom at your Brethrens Gates doth cry , Let them hear Moses read by their Divines , ●'th ' Synagogue to which their house adjoyns ; And let them hear the reverend Prophets next , Those wondrous Commentators on the Text. Dives his Reply . MOses ( 't is true ) was an Vnerring Guide , So were those sixteen Prophets on his side : This I as much believe , as if I saw The flaming Mount , and heard the Fiery Law , When every word was accented with Thunder , Which Rent those Oaks , the Jewish hearts asunder . 'T is here as necessary to believe , As it is Natural to feel and grieve : I that am now a proof of sacred Writ , Do argue backwards with my After-wit : Hell in the threatnings tho' I did not see , The threatnings are in Hell made plain to me . I skowl'd upon the Heavens when they did Lowre , The Clouds I fear'd not , but I feel the Shower . Nothing will move my Brethren but a Sign , Experience is the powerfulest Divine : Faith is the Child of sense , whereas Report Is entertain'd with Blasphemy or Sport. They have a Sword to cut the Gordian Knot , Moses saith many things , but proves them not . And tho' they hear substantial Proofs there be , Nothing is Proof to them but what they see . Had they an Emissary from above , The very Sight a future state would prove : Might he but tell them of your Heavenly Strand , They'd all turn Pilgrims for that Holy Land ; Or might he preach the torments which I feel , His words would 〈◊〉 like burning Gads of steel ; His words would tear down all , like thundering Guns , Beyond the faint Attempts of Levi's Sons . O were I of this cursed Chain Releas'd ! ( With that he gnash'd his teeth and knock'd his breast : ) Might I be to the Earth a Preacher sent , I 'de burn up sin like Stubble where I went ; I 'de smoak away their Lusts and flattering Lies , Or forth I 'de drive them with my Glaring Eyes : I 'de blow a Trumpet which should Rend the Ground , Their trembling Heart-strings should in Consort sound : I 'de teach the faithless Sadduces their Creed , And make the Pharisees to pray indeed : I 'de tell the Ranters such a doleful Tale , That they should mourn as in Megiddons Vale : I 'de unbewitch the sots and slaves of sin , That such a Reformation should begin ; As in Josiah's time did not befall , And the next Age should Canonize 'em all . Abraham's Rejoynder . A Preaching Apparition would confound Heaven daring Giants with its dreadful found , ( None quake so soon as they who Heaven do dare , Who fear not God , the greatest Cowards are : But were the coast once clear , the shake once o're , The Lees would settle as they did before . " It was a waking Dream they would conclude , " A Juggle which our Senses did delude : " Or did we something see ? And something hear ? " Yet whence it came , it doth not yet appear . Nay , they would gravely reason out the Case , " What we can grasp , we gladly will embrace : " The rest we leave ; to them let Children heark . " And fright themselves with Fancies in the dark . " What is a Spirit ? What 's Infinity ? " What does the word [ Eternal ] signifie ? Charm'd are their Souls with this Oration made , And now their fear shall vanish like the shade : Thus Fools ( tho' pounded ) will not lose a Grain , And Frozen snakes , when thaw'd , will hisse again . Come now thou that Pretend'st to act the Man , Something there needs must be , which ne're began ; If all were nothing once , so 't would be now , A Number from bare Cyphers could not grow : Nothing 's a Barren Womb ; if that could breed , To be and not to be were well agreed : One Point is gain'd , that something ever was ; This hard word , Ever , you must let it pass : Know'st thou how far this Ever doth extend ? You must grant what you cannot Comprehend . But what was Ever ? This Imperial Robe , Suits not the Azure nor the Verdant Globe : One is a turning Wheel , that Spins out time , The other Pools with spots of hardned slime . Now mark the kinds of each , and you shall find , Unto their proper Sphears they are Confin'd : Hereby is their Original Confest , Ther 's but a partial Goodness in the best : This is the Voice of their Infirmity , " Mere Beggars and Derivatives are we : What 's of it self , that doth its self suffice , 'T is from our Creatureship our wants arise : What 's of it self , than in it self is Blest , 'T is its own Center and at perfect rest ; Rich is that Being whence all Beings are , And whence each Being has its proper share . Nor is 't a wonder of so high degree , To make to be , as of it self to be ; Something then ever was , which needs must be , From all the shades of Imperfections free . Hence are we ; and to think , in vain we are , Is to condemn his Wisdom at our Bar. As Men the Badge of their dependance wear On their frail Flesh ( the Graves probationer ) And on their hearts , whose restless Motions show Something they want , which is not here below ; So must they own whom they are forc'd to know , And pay themselves to whom themselves they Owe : Neither would this their Light of comfort Dim , But they should serve themselves in serving him . When Graves upbraid proud Grave-stones with their Lies , God's Servant is a Title nevers dies . The thoughts in Man do prove his Soul to be ; His Conscience bodes his immortality : This Bosom Magistrate his Facts espies And binds him over to the last Assize : He trembles at his Summons to appear ; His fear makes not a God , God makes his Fear , Religion by Corroding doth assay Even thro' an Heart of Rock to force its way . O might he to himself be so sincere , To strive to please whom he 's constrain'd to fear . Yet will he be a Vagrant all his days , Without a Method to direct his ways . What Eye e're pierc'd th' Almighties Sacred Breast ? Himself knows only what will please him best . Since Man was made to serve his Makers will , Which is an height transcending humane skill , A Rule must needs be granted from on High For him to regulate his Actions by : This Heaven-sprung Rule that S●cred Roll contains , Which in the Consecrated Land remains . Its words and mysteries are all Divine , And weighty Mountains Hang on every Line ; It ( Sun like ) Shines by its own Golden Beams , And scorns its base Corrivals senseless Dreams : Those Spangles which the Heathen Sages Left Were from this Mine snatch'd by an Honest Theft . Give me that hardy Brow , that dares deny The Bible well attested History : Moses said many things , and prov'd them too With proofs which all Hells Magick did out-do ; God's power he carried in his Hands , to show , That from his Mouth the Truths of God did flow : And his Credentials on his Face did shine , Which there were written by a Beam Divine . The gazing Jews were struck , who plainly saw That whence he had his Light , he had his Law. Those Sections which the Sacred Code begin ▪ Were by an Age of wonders Usher'd in . The Prophets superstructure firmly stands On two hewn Stones laid by th' Almighties Hands : They count the footsteps of their coming Lord , They view the Mercy-seat with one accord . One tells his Name , another tells his place ; Another writes the Beauties of his Face . Thus is he Glanc'd at by their piercing Eyes ; The last of them his Harbinger espies : And O the Brisk , the Charming Airs that Spring From the consent of each Harmonious string ! He 's overwise who dreads Fictitious ●ines From Hands unbrib'd , and Hearts without designs . They wrote beyond themselves , which serves to prove , Their hearts & hands were guided from above The Worlds just Age , and what was done of old Are in this Sacred Register inroll'd . Here may be seen the pristin state of Man , And , that Niles Head , the Source where ills began . Here may be seen what makes a second Spring ; Here is the ●est account of every thing . The Wonders witness'd now by mortal Eyes , Are but the products of its Prophecies . The Scriptures rule the World : Till this shall burn , All Ages on that Axle-Tree shall turn . This Heaven-inspired Volume doth avow What reason may embrace , or must allow . When God describes himself , 't is such an height , As far surmounts quick fancies highest Flight . 'T is Reason , Reason should be puzzled here ; Man should be God if he knew what he were . To these vast heights thus sober Reason saith , I see the Seals : And yields the Chair to Faith. Now the Almighties Word shall Vermin slight , When Heaven and Earth bear witness to its Might . Vast Numbers from his Word at first did flow , And must his Word pass for a Cypher now ? Nay , his Commands at first Creations were , And now his Word Commands ; and give an Ear , It is a Sun that gives both Light and Eyes , A Voice that bids and makes the dead arise : It makes Clouds , Stars ; And sends them to the Sky ; And turneth Heaven ●nto a Colony . Unbelief is not Reason but a Lust ; God's Hand and Sword gives it its mortal thrust . ●he Law of the Two Tables will prevail , When other ( self-invented ) means shall fail . Whilst other Archers Level in the Dark . The Arrows from Gods Quiver hit the Mark. What Voices or what Visions would you have ? Gods Voice ( or nothing ) will your Brethren save : New Methods of Salvation to contrive Is fruitless Labour : Let 'em hear and Live ; But if they won't , their Mittimus is Seal'd ; A stubborn Patient never can be heal'd . If Preachers rais'd by God they will disdain ; Preachers rais'd from the Grave should preach in vain . FINIS . Books lately Printed for Tho. Parkhurst , at the Bible and Three Crowns in Cheapside . THE Confirming Work of Religion , and its great things made plain by their primary evidences and demonstrations ; whereby the meanest in the Church may soon be made able to render a rational account of their Faith. A Family-Altar , erected to the honour of the Eternal God : Or , a solemn Essay to promote the Worship of God in Private Houses ; being some Meditations on Gen. 35. 2 , 3. With the best Entail , or dying Parents Living Hopes for their Surviving Children , grounded upon the Covenant of Gods Grace with Believers and their Seed : Being a short Discourse on 2 Sam. 23. 5. by Oliver Heywood , Minister of the Gospel . The Gospel-Mystery of Sanctification open'd , in sundry practical Directions , suited especially to the Case of those who labour under the guilt and power of Indwelling Sin. To which is added a Sermon of Justification ; by Walter Marshal , Minister of the Gospel , &c. Death improved , and immoderate sorrow for deceased Friends and Relations reproved . Where in you have many arguments against Immoderate sorrow , and many profitable Lessons which we may learn from such Providences ; by Edw. Bury , formerly Minister of great Bolas in Shropshire , Author of the Help to Holy Walking , and the Husbandmans Companion , &c. The Poor Mans help , and Young Mans guide ; containing , 1. Doctrinal instructions for the right informing of his Judgment . 2. Practical directions for the general course of his Life 3. Particular advices for the well managing of every day , with reference to his Natural Actions , Civil Employments , Necessary Recreations , Religious Duties , particularly Prayer , Publick in the Congregation , Private in the Family , Secret in the Closet , Reading the Holy Scriptures , Hearing the Word Preached , and Receiving the Lords Supper ; by William Bu●kitt , M. A. of Pembrook-hall in Cambridge , and now Vicar of Dedham in Essex , and Author of the Practical Discourse of Infant Baptism . The Rod or the Sword , the present Dilemma of the Nations of England , Scotland and Ireland , considered , argued and improved , on Ezek. 21. 14 by a true friend to the Protestant Interest , and the Present Government . A Present for such as have been Sick , and are Recovered ; or a Discourse concerning the Good that comes out of the Evil of Affliction ; being several Sermons Preached after his being raised from a Bed of Languishing ; by Nathaniel Vincent M. A. and Author of the Conversion of the Soul. The true Touchstone of Grace and Nature . Discourse of Conscience . Treatise of Prayer and Love , &c. Some passages in the Holy Life and Death of the Late Reverend Mr. Edmund Trench ; most of them drawn out of his own Diary ; Published by Joseph Boyse Minister in Dublin . An account of the blessed Trinity , argued from the Nature and Perfection of the Supream Spirit co-incident with the Scripture Doctrine , in all the Articles of the Catholick Creeds ; together with its Mystical , Federal and Practical Uses in the Christian Religion ; by William Borrough Rector of Cheyns in Bucks . A Discourse of Justification , being the sum of twenty Sermons by Walter Cross , M. A. Forty Nine Sermons on the whole Epistle of the Apostle Paul to the Colossians , by Monsieur Duille , Minister of the Reformed Church in Paris . Folio . Sermons and Discourses on several Divine Subjects ; by the Late Reverend and Learned David Clarkson , B. D. and sometime Fellow of Clare-Hall , Cambridge . Folio . The Support of the Faithful in Times of Persecution ; or a Sermon Preach'd in the Wilderness to the Poor Protestants in France ; by M. Brousson , an Eminent Minister , who was broke upon the VVheel at Montpelier , Novem. 6. 1698. Quarto . The Fountain of Life opened ; or a Display of Christ in his Essential and Mediatoral Glory ; containing forty two Sermons on various Texts : VVherein the Impetration of our Redemption by Jesus Christ is orderly unfolded , as it was begun , carried on , and finished by his Covenant Transaction , Mysterious Incarnation , solemn Call and Dedication , blessed Offices , deep Abasement , and Supereminent Advancement . A Treatise of the Soul of Man , wherein the Divine Original , excellent and immortal Nature of the Soul are opened ; its Love and Inclination to the Body , with the Necessity of its Separation from it , considered and improved . The Existence , Operations and States of separated Souls both in Heaven and Hell immediately after Death , asserted , discussed and variously applied . Divers knotty and difficult Questions about departed Souls both Philosophical and Theological , stated and determined . Hymns suited to the Sacrament by Tho. Vincent , &c. The Method of Grace in bringing home the Eternal Redemption , contrived by the Father , and accomplished by the Son , thro' the Effectual Application of the Spirit unto God's Elect , being the second Part of Gospel Redemption . The Divine Conduct or Mystery of Providence , its Being and Efficacy asserted and vindicated ; all the Methods of Providence in our course of life opened , with directions how to apply and improve them . Navigation spiritualiz'd , or a New Compass for Seamen , consisting of thirty two points of pleasant Observations , profitable Applications , serious Reflections , all concluded with so many spiritual Poems , &c. A Saint indeed , the great Work of a Christian . A Touchstone of sincerity , or signs of Grace , and symptoms of Hypocrisie , being the second part of the Saints indeed . A Token for Mourners , or Boundaries for sorrow for the Death of Friends . Husbandry ●piritualiz'd ; or the Heavenly use of Earthly Things ; all these ten by Mr. John Flavell . A Funeral Sermon on the Death of that Pious Gentlewoman Mrs. Judith Hammond , late Wife of the reverend Mr. George Hammond , Minister of the Gospel in London . Of Thoughtfulness for the Morrow ; with an Appendix concerning the immoderate desire of foreknowing Things to come . Of Charity in reference to other Mens sins . The Redeemers Tears wept over lost souls , in a treathe on Luke 19. 41 , 42. With an appendix , wherein some what is occasionally discoursed concerning the sin aganist the Holy Ghost , and how God is said to Will the salvation of them that perish . A sermon directing what we are to do after a strict Enquiry , whether or no we truly love God. A funeral sermon for Mrs. Esther Sampson , late Wife of Mr. Henry Sampson , Doctor of Physick , who died Novem. 24. 1689. The Carnality of religious Contention ; In two sermons preach'd at the Merchants Lecture in Broad● street . A calm and sober Enquiry concerning the possibility of a Trinity in the Godhead . A Letter to a Friend concerning a Postscript to the Defence of Dr. Sherlock's Notion of the Trinity in Unity , relating to the calm and sober Enquiry upon the same Subject . A View of that part of the late Consideration Addrest to H. H. about the Trinity ; which concerns the sober Enquiry on that subject . FINIS . Notes, typically marginal, from the original text Notes for div A52174-e41770 * The Eng. of Lazur●s . 
A34930	----	Steps to the temple sacred poems, with other delights of the muses / by Richard Crashaw ... Crashaw, Richard, 1613?-1649. 1646 Approx. 196 KB of XML-encoded text transcribed from 77 1-bit group-IV TIFF page images. Text Creation Partnership, Ann Arbor, MI ; Oxford (UK) : 2003-03 (EEBO-TCP Phase 1). A34930 Wing C6836 ESTC R13298 11699679 ocm 11699679 48254 This keyboarded and encoded edition of the work described above is co-owned by the institutions providing financial support to the Early English Books Online Text Creation Partnership. This Phase I text is available for reuse, according to the terms of Creative Commons 0 1.0 Universal . The text can be copied, modified, distributed and performed, even for commercial purposes, all without asking permission. Early English books online. (EEBO-TCP ; phase 1, no. A34930) Transcribed from: (Early English Books Online ; image set 48254) Images scanned from microfilm: (Early English books, 1641-1700 ; 812:3) Steps to the temple sacred poems, with other delights of the muses / by Richard Crashaw ... Crashaw, Richard, 1613?-1649. [10], 138, [4] p. Printed by T.W. for Humphrey Moseley, and are to be sold at his shop ..., London : 1646. Reproduction of original in Huntington Library. Second part has special t.p.: The delights of the muses, or, Other poems written on severall occasions. Poems in English and Latin. Table of contents: p. [1]-[4] at end. Created by converting TCP files to TEI P5 using tcp2tei.xsl, TEI @ Oxford. Re-processed by University of Nebraska-Lincoln and Northwestern, with changes to facilitate morpho-syntactic tagging. Gap elements of known extent have been transformed into placeholder characters or elements to simplify the filling in of gaps by user contributors. 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Copies of the texts have been issued variously as SGML (TCP schema; ASCII text with mnemonic sdata character entities); displayable XML (TCP schema; characters represented either as UTF-8 Unicode or text strings within braces); or lossless XML (TEI P5, characters represented either as UTF-8 Unicode or TEI g elements). Keying and markup guidelines are available at the Text Creation Partnership web site . eng Religious poetry -- Early works to 1800. 2002-10 TCP Assigned for keying and markup 2002-11 SPi Global Keyed and coded from ProQuest page images 2002-12 Emma (Leeson) Huber Sampled and proofread 2002-12 Emma (Leeson) Huber Text and markup reviewed and edited 2003-02 pfs Batch review (QC) and XML conversion STEPS TO THE TEMPLE . Sacred Poems , With other Delights of the MUSES . By RICHARD CRASHAW , sometimes of Pembroke Hall , and late Fellow of S. Peters Coll. in Cambridge . Printed and Published according to Order . LONDON , Printed by T.W. for Humphrey Moseley , and are to be sold at his shop at the Princes Armes in St. Pauls Church-yard . 1646 The Preface to the Reader . Learned Reader , THe Authors friend , will not usurpe much upon thy eye : This is onely for those , whom the name of our Divine Poet hath not yet seized into admiration , I dare undertake , that what Jamblicus ( in vita Pythagorae ) affirmeth of his Master , at his Contemplations , these Poems can , viz. They shal lift thee Reader , some yards above the ground : and , as in Pythagoras Schoole , every temper was first tuned into a height by severall proportions of Musick ; and spiritualiz'd for one of his weighty Lectures ; S● maist thou take a Poem hence , and tune thy soule by it , into a heavenly pitch ; and thus refined and borne up upon the wings of meditation . In these Poems thou maist talke freely of God , and of that other state . Here 's Herbert's second , but equall , who hath retriv'd Poetry of late , and return'd it up to its Primitive use ; Let it bound back to heaven gates , whence it came . Thinke yee , St. Augustine would have steyned his graver Learning with a booke of Poetry , had he fancied their dearest end to be the vanity of Love-Sonnets , and Epithalamiums ? No , no , he thought with this , our Poet , that every foot in a high-borne verse , might helpe to measure the soule into that better world : Divine Poetry ; I dare hold it , in position against Suarez on the subject , to be the Language of the Angels ; it is the Quintessence of Phantasie and discourse center'd in Heaven ; 't is the very Out-goings of the soule ; 't is what alone our Author is able to tell you , and that in his owne verse . It were prophane but to mention here in the Preface those under-headed Poets , Retainers to seven shares and a halfe ; Madrigall fellowes , whose onely businesse in verse , is to rime a poore six-penny soule , a Subburd sinner into hell ; — May such arrogant pretenders to Poetry vanish , with their prodigious issue of tumorous heats and flashes of their adulterate braines , and for ever after , may this our Poet fill up the better roome of man , Oh! when the generall arraignment of Poets shall be , to give an accompt of their higher soules , with what a triumphant brow , shall our divine Poet sit above , and looke downe upon poore Homer , Virgil , Horace , Claudian ? &c. who had amongst them the ill lucke to talke out a great part of their gallant Genius upon Bees , Dung , froggs , and Gnats , &c. and not as himselfe here , upon Scriptures , divine Graces , Martyrs and Angels . Reader , we stile his Sacred Poems , Stepps to the Temple , and aptly , for in the Temple of God , under his wing , he led his life in St. Maries Church neere St. Peters Colledge : There be lodged under Tertullian's roofe of Angels : There he made his nest more gladly then David's Swallow neere the house of God : where like a primitive Saint , he offered more prayers in the night , then others usually offer in the day ; There , he penned these Poems , Stepps for happy soules to ●limbe heaven by . And those other of his pieces intituled , The Delights of the Muses , ( though of a more humane mixture ) are as sweet as they are innocent . The praises that follow are but few of many that might be conferr'd on him , hee was excellent in five Languages ( besides his Mother tongue ) vid. Hebrew , Greek , Latine , Italian , Spanish , the two last whereof hee had little helpe in they were of his owne acquisition . Amongst his other accomplishments in Accademick ( as well pious as harmlesse arts ) hee made his skill in Poetry Musicke , Drawing , Limming , graving , ( exercises of his curious invention and sudden fancy ) to bee but his subservient recreations for vacant houres , not the grand businesse of his soule . To the former Qualifications I might adde that which would crowne them all , his rare moderation in diet ( almost Lessian temperance ) hee never created a Muse out of dist●mpers , nor with our Canary scribblers ) cast any strange mists of surfets before the Intelectuall beames of his mind or memory , the latter of which , hee was so much a master of , that hee had there under locke and key in readinesse , the richest treasures of the best Greeke and Latine Poets , some of which Authors hee had more at his command and by heart , then others that onely read their workes , to retaine little , and understand lesse . Enough Reader , I intend not a volume of praises , larger then his booke , nor need I longer transport thee to thinke over his vast perfections , I will conclude all that I have impartially writ of this Learned young Gent. ( now dead to us ) as hee himselfe doth , with the last line of his Poem upon Bishop Andrews Picture before his Sermons Verte paginas . — Look on his following leaves , and see him breath . The Authors Motto . Live Jesus , Live , and let it bee My life to dye , for love of thee . REader , there was a sudden mistake ( 't is too late to recover it ) thou wilt quickly find it out , and I hope as soone passe it over , some of the humane Poems are misplaced amongst the Divine . The Weeper . 1 HAile Sister Springs , Parents of Silver-forded rills ! Ever bubling things ! Thawing Christall ● Snowy Hills ! Still spending , never spent ; I meane Thy faire Eyes sweet Magdalene . 2 Heavens thy faire Eyes bee , Heavens of ever-falling stars , T is seed-time still with thee And stars thou sow'st whose harvest dares Promise the earth ; to countershine What ever makes Heavens fore-head fine . 3 But wee are deceived all , Stars they are indeed too true , For they but seeme to fall As Heavens other spangles doe : It is not for our Earth and us , To shine in things so pretious . 4 Vpwards thou dost weepe , Heavens bosome drinks the gentle streame . Where th' milky rivers meet , Thine Crawles above and is the Creame . Heaven , of such faire floods as this , Heaven the Christall Ocean is . 5 Every morne from hence , A briske Cherub something sips Whose soft influence Adds sweetnesse to his sweetest lips . Then to his Musicke , and his song Tastes of this breakefast all day long . ● When some new bright guest Takes up among the stars a roome , And Heaven will make a feast , Angels with their Bottles come ; And draw from these full Eyes of thine , Their Masters water , their owne Wine . 7 The dew no more will weepe , The Primroses pale cheeke to decke , The deaw no more will sleepe , Nuzzel'd in the Lillies necke . Much rather would it tremble heere , And leave them both to bee thy Teare . 8 Not the soft Gold which Steales from the Amber-weeping Tree , Makes sorrow halfe so Rich , As the drops distil'd from thee . Sorrowes best Iewels lye in these Caskets , of which Heaven keeps the Keyes . 9 When sorrow would be seene In her brightest Majesty , ( For shee ●s a Queen ) Then is shee drest by none but thee . Then , and onely then shee weares Her richest Pearles , I meane thy Tea●es . 10 Not in the Evenings Eyes When they red with weeping are , For the Sun that dyes , Si●s sorrow with a face so faire . Nowhere but heere did ever meet Sweetnesse so sad , sadnes so sweet . 11 Sadnesse all the while Shee sits in such a Throne as this , Can doe nought but smile , Nor beleeves shee sadnesse is Gladnesse it selfe would bee more glad To bee made so sweetly sad . 12 There is no need at all That the Balsame-sweating bough So coyly should let fall , His med'cinable Teares ; for now Nature hath learn't t' extract a dew , More soveraigne and sweet from you . 13 Yet let the poore drops weepe , Weeping is the case of woe , Softly let them creepe Sad that they are vanquish't so , They , though to others no releife May Balsame bee for their own grief . 14 Golden though hee bee , Golden Tagus murmurs though , Might hee flow from thee Content and quiet would he goe , Richer far does he esteeme Thy silver , then his golden streame . 15 Well does the May that lyes Smiling in thy cheekes , confesse , The April in thine eyes , Mutuall sweetnesse they expresse . No April e're lent softer showres , Nor May returned fairer flowers . 16 Thus dost thou melt the yeare Into a weeping motion , Each minute waiteth heere ; Takes his teare and gets him gone ; By thine eyes tinct enobled thus Time layes him up : he 's pretious . 17 Time as by thee he passes , Makes thy ever-watry eyes His Hower-Glasses . By them his steps he rectifies . The sands he us'd no longer please , For his owne sands hee 'l use thy seas . 18 Does thy song lull the Ayre ? Thy teares just Cadence still keeps time . Does thy sweet breath'd Prayer Vp in clouds of Incense climbe ? Still at each sigh , that is each stop : A bead , that is a teare doth drop . 19 Does the Night arise ? Still thy teares doe fall , and fall . Does night loose her eyes ? Still the fountaine weeps for all . Let night or day doe what they will Thou hast thy taske , thou weepest still . 20 Not , so long she liv'd , Will thy tombe report of thee But so long she greiv'd , Thus must we date thy memory . Others by Dayes , by Monthes , by Yeares Measure their Ages , Thou by Teares . 21 Say watry Brothers Yee simpering sons of those faire eyes , Your fertile Mothers . What hath our world that can entice You to be borne ? what is 't can borrow You from her eyes swolne wombes of sorrow . 22 Whither away so fast ? O whither ? for the sluttish Earth Your sweetnesse cannot tast Nor does the dust deserve your Birth . Whither hast ye then ? o say Why yee trip so fast away ? 23 We goe not to seeke The darlings of Aurora's bed , The Roses modest cheeke Nor the Violets humble head . No such thing ; we goe to meet A worthier object , Our Lords feet . The Teare . 1. WHat bright soft thing is this ? Sweet Mary thy faire Eyes expence ? A moist sparke it is , A watry Diamond ; from whence The very Terme , I think , was found The water of a Diamond . 2 O 't is not a Teare , 'T is a starre about to drop From thine eye its spheare ; The Sunne will stoope and take it up . Proud will his sister be to weare This thine eyes Iewell in her Eare. 3 O 't is a Teare , Too true a Teare ; for no sad eyne , How sad so e're Raine so true a Teare as thine ; Each Drop leaving a place so deare , Weeps for it selfe , is its owne Teare . 4 Such a Pearle as this is , ( Slipt from Aurora's dewy Brest ) The Rose buds sweet lip kisses ; And such the Rose its selfe when vext With ungentle flames , does shed , Sweating in too warme a Bed. 5 Such the Maiden Gemme By the wanton Spring put on , Peeps from her Parent stemme , And blushes on the watry Sun : This watry Blossome of thy Eyne Ripe , will make the richer Wine . 6 Faire Drop , why quak'st thou so ? 'Cause thou streight must lay thy Head In the Dust ? ô no ▪ The Dust shall never bee thy Bed ▪ A pillow for thee will I bring , Stuft with Downe of Angels wing . 7 Thus carryed up on high , ( For to Heaven thou must goe ) Sweetly shalt thou lye , And in soft slumbers bath thy woe ; Till the singing Orbes awake thee , And one of their bright Chorus make thee . 8 There thy selfe shalt bee An eye , but not a weeping one , Yet I doubt of thee , Whither th'hadst rather there have shone An eye of Heaven ; or still shine here In th' Heaven of Mary's eye , a Teare . Divine Epigrams . On the water of our Lords Baptisme . EAch blest drop , on each blest limme , Is washt it selfe , in washing him : T is a Gemme while it stayes here , While it falls hence 't is a Teare . Act. 8 On the baptized Aethiopian . LEt it no longer be a forlorne hope To wash an Aethiope : He 's washt , His gloomy skin a peacefull shade For his white soule is made : And now , I doubt not , the Eternall Dove , A black-fac'd house will love . On the miracle of multiplyed loaves . SEe here an easie Feast that knowes no wound , That under Hungers Teeth will needs be sound : A subtle Harvest of unbounded bread , What would ye more ? Here food it selfe is fed . Vpon the Sepulchre of our Lord. HEre , where our Lord once laid his Head , Now the Grave lies buried . The Widowes Mites . TWo Mites , two drops , ( yet all her house and land ) Falls from a steady Heart , though trembling hand : The others wanton wealth foams high , and brave , The other cast away , she onely gave . Luk. 15. On the Prodigall . TEll me bright Boy , tell me my golden Lad , Whither away so frolick ? why so glad ? What all thy Wealth in counsaile ? all thy state ? Are Husks so deare ? troth 't is a mighty rate . On the still surviving markes of our Saviours wounds . WHat ever story of their crueltie , Or Naile , or Thorne , or Speare have writ in Thee , Are in another sence Still legible ; Sweet is the difference : Once I did spell . Every red letter A wound of thine , Now , ( what is better ) Balsome for mine . Act. 5. The sicke implore St. Peter's shadow . VNder thy shadow may I lurke a while , Death's busie search I 'le easily beguile : Thy shadow Peter , must shew me the Sun , My light 's thy shadowes shadow , or 't is done . Mar. 7. The dumbe healed , and the people enjoyned silence . CHrist bids the dumbe tongue speake , it speakes , the sound Hee charges to be quiet , it runs round , If in the first he us'd his fingers Touch : His hands whole strength here , could not be too much . Mat. 28. Come see the place where the Lord lay . SHow me himselfe , himselfe ( bright Sir ) O show Which way my poore Tears to himselfe may goe , Were it enough to show the place , and say , Looke , Mary , here see , where thy Lord once lay , Then could I show these armes of mine , and say Looke , Mary , here see , where thy Lord once lay . To Pontius washing his hands . THy hands are washt , but ô the waters spilt , That labour'd to have washt thy guilt : The flood , if any can that can suffice , Must have its Fountaine in thine Eyes . To the Infant Martyrs . GOe smiling soules , your new built Cages breake , In Heav'n you 'l learne to sing ere here to speake , Nor let the milky fonts that bath your thirst , Bee your delay ; The place that calls you hence , is at the worst Milke all the way . On the Miracle of Loaves . NOw Lord , or never , they 'l beleeve on thee , Thou to their Teeth hast prov'd thy Deity . Marke 4. Why are yee afraid , O yee of little faith ? AS if the storme meant him ; Or , 'cause Heavens face is dim , His needs a cloud . Was ever froward wind That could be so unkind , Or wave so proud ? The Wind had need be angry , and the Water black , That to the mighty Neptune's self dare threaten wrack ▪ There is no storme but this Of your owne Cowardise That braves you out ; You are the storme that mocks Your selves ; you are the Rocks Of your owne doubt : Besides this feare of danger , there 's no danger here , And he that here feares Danger , does deserve his Feare . On the Blessed Virgins bashfulnesse . THat on her lap she casts her humble Eye , 'T is the sweet pride of her Humility . The faire starre is well fixt , for where , ô where Could she have fixt it on a fairer Spheare ? 'T is Heav'n 't is Heaven she sees , Heavens God there lyes , She can see heaven , and ne're lift up her eyes : This new Guest to her Eyes new Lawes hath given , 'T was once looke up , 't is now looke downe to Heaven . Vpon Lazarus his Teares . RIch Lazarus ! richer in those Gems , thy Teares . Then Dives in the Roabes he weares : He scornes them now , but ô they 'l sute full well With th' Purple he must weare in Hell. Two went up into the Temple to pray . TWo went to pray ? ô rather say One went to brag , th' other to pray : One stands up close and treads on high , Where th' other dares not send his eye . One neerer to Gods Altar trod , The other to the Altars God. Vpon the Asse that bore our Saviour . HAth onely Anger an Omnipotence In Eloquence ? Within the lips of Love and Ioy doth dwell No miracle ? Why else had Baalams Asse a tongue to chide His Masters pride ? And thou ( Heaven-burthen'd Beast ) hast ne're a word To praise thy Lord ? That he should find a Tongue and vocall Thunder , Was a great wonder . But ô me thinkes 't is a farre greater one That thou find'st none . Matthew 8. I am not worthy that thou should'st come under my roofe . THy God was mak●ng hast into thy roofe , Thy humble faith and feare keepes him aloofe : Hee 'l be thy Guest , because he may not be , Hee 'l come — into thy house ? no , into thee . Vpon the Powder Day . HOw fit our well-ra●k'd Feasts doe follow , All misch●efe comes after All Hallow . I am the Doore . ANd nowth'art set wide ope , The Speare's sad Art , Lo ! hath unlockt thee at the very Heart : Hee to himselfe ( I feare the worst ) And h●s owne hope Hath shut these Doores of Heaven , that durst Thus set them ope . Matthew . 10. The blind cured by the word of our Saviour . THou speak'st the word ( thy word 's a Law ) Thou spak'st and stre●ght the blind man saw . To speake and make the bl●nd man see , Was never man Lord spak● l●ke Thee . To speake thus , was to speake ( say I ) Not to his Eare , but to his Eye . Matthew . 27. And he answered them nothing . O Mighty Nothing ! unto thee , Nothing , wee owe all things that bee . God spake once when hee all things made , Hee sav'd all when hee Nothing said . The world was made of Nothing then ; 'T is made by Nothyng now againe . To our Lord , upon the Water made Wine . THou water turn'st to Wine ( faire friend of Life ) Thy foe to crosse the sweet Arts of thy Reigne , Distills from thence the Teares of wrath and strife , And so turnes wine to Water backe againe . Matthew . 22. Neither durst any man from that Day aske him any more Questions . Midst all the darke and knotty Snares , Blacke wit or malice can or dares , Thy glorious wisdome breakes the Nets , And treads with uncontrouled steps . Thy quel'd foes are not onely now Thy triumphes , but thy Trophies t●o : They , both at once thy Conquests bee , And thy Conquests memorye . Stony amazement makes them stand Waiting on thy victorious hand , Like statues fixed to the fame Of thy renoune , and their owne shame . As if they onely meant to breath , To bee the L●fe of their owne Death . 'T was time to hold their Peace when they , Had nere another word to say : Yet is their silence unto thee , The full sound of thy victory . Their silence speakes aloud , and is . Thy well pronounc'd Panegyris . While they speake nothing , they speake all Their share , in thy Memoriall . While they speake nothing , they proclaime Thee , with the shrillest Trumpe of fame . To hold their peace is all the waies , These wretches have to speake thy praise . Vpon our Saviours Tombe wherein never man was laid . HOw Life and Death in Thee Agree ? Thou had'st a virgin Wombe And Tombe . A Ioseph did betroth Them both . It is better to go into Heaven with one eye , &c. ONe Eye ? a thousand rather , and a Thousand more To fix those full-fac't Glories , ô he 's poore Of Eyes that has but Argus store , Yet if thou 'lt fill one poore Eye , with thy Heaven and Thee , O grant ( sweet Goodnesse ) that one Eye may be All , and every whit of me . Luk. 11. Vpon the dumbe Devill cast out , and the slanderous Iewes put to silence . TWo Devills at one blow thou hast laid flat , A speaking Divell this , a dumbe one that . Wa' st thy full victories fairer increase , That th' one spake , or that th' other held his peace ? Luke 10. And a certaine Priest comming that way looked on him and passed by . Why dost Thou wound my wounds , ô Thou that passest by Handling & turning them with an unwounded eye ? The calm that cools thine eye does shipwrack mine , for ô ! Vnmov'd to see one wretched , is to make him so . Luke 11. Blessed be the paps which Thou hast sucked . SVppose he had been Tabled at thy Teates , Thy hunger feeles not what he eates : Hee 'l have his Teat e're long ( a bloody one ) The Mother then must suck the Son. To Pontius washing his blood-stained hands . ●S murther no sin ? or a sin so cheape , That thou need'st heape ● Rape upon 't ? till thy Adult'rous touch Taught her these sullied cheeks this blubber'd face , She was a Nimph , the meadowes knew none such , Of honest Parentage of unstain'd Race , The Daughter of a faire and well-fam'd Fountaine As ever Silver-tipt , the side of shady mountaine . See how she weeps , and weeps , that she appeares Nothing but Teares ; Each drop's a Teare that weeps for her own wast ; Harke how at every Touch she does complaine her : Harke how she bids her frighted Drops make hast , And with sad murmurs , chides the Hands that stain her . Leave , leave , for shame , or else ( Good judge ) decree , What water shal wash this , when this hath washed thee . Matthew 23. Yee build the Sepulchres of the Prophets . THou trim'st a Prophets Tombe , and dost bequeath The life thou took'st from him unto his Death . Vaine man ! the stones that on his Tombe doe lye , Keepe but the score of them that made him dye . Vpon the Infant Martyrs . TO see both blended in one flood . The Mothers Milke , the Childrens blood , Makes me doubt if Heaven will gather , Roses hence , or Lillies rather . Joh. 16. Verily I say unto you , yee shall weep and lament . WElcome my Grife , my Ioy ; how deare's To me my Legacy of Teares ! I 'le weepe , and weepe , and will therefore Weepe , 'cause I can weepe no more● Thou , thou ( Deare Lord ) even thou alone , Giv'st joy , even when thou givest none . Joh. 15. Vpon our Lords last comfortable discourse with his Disciples . ALL Hybla's honey , all that sweetnesse can Flowes in thy Song ( ô faire , ô dying Swan ! ) Yet is the joy I take in 't small or none ; It is too sweet to be a long-liv'd one . Luke 16. Dives asking a drop . A Drop , one drop , how sweetly one faire drop Would tremble on my pearle-tipt fingers top ? My wealth is gone , ô goe it where it will , Spare this one Iewell ; I 'le be Dives still . Marke 12. ( Give to Caesar — ) ( And to God — ) ALL we have is God's , and yet Caesar challenges a debt , Nor hath God a thinner share , What ever Caesar's payments are ; All is God's ; and yet 't is true All wee have is Caesar's too ; All is Caesar's ; and what ods So long as Caesar's selfe is Gods ? But now they have seen , and hated . SEene ? and yet hated thee ? they did not see , They saw Thee not , that saw and hated thee : No , no , they saw the not , ô Life , ô Love , Who saw ought in thee , that their hate could move . Vpon the Thornes taken downe from our Lords head bloody . KNow'st thou this Souldier ? 't is a much chang'd plant , which yet Thy selfe did'st set , 'T is chang'd indeed , did Autumn e're such beauties bring To shame his Spring ? O! who so hard an husbandman could ever find A soyle so kind ? Is not the soile a kind one ( thinke ye ) that returnes Roses for Thornes ? Luc. 7. She began to wash his feet with teares and wipe them with the haires of her head . HEer eyes flood lickes his feets faire sta●ne , Her haires flame lickes up that againe . This flame thus quench't hath brighter beames : This flood thus stained fairer streames . On St. Peter cutting of Malchus his eare . WEll Peter dost thou wield thy active sword , Well for thy selfe ( I meane ) not for thy Lord. To strike at eares , is to take heed there bee No witnesse Peter of thy perjury . Joh. 3. But men loved darknesse rather then Light. THe worlds light shines , shine as it will , The world will love its Darknesse still : I doubt though when the World 's in Hell , It will not love its Darknesse halfe so well . Act. 21. I am ready not onely to be bound but to dye . COme death , come bands , nor do you shrink , my eares , At those hard words mans cowardise calls feares . Save those of feare , no other bands feare I ; Nor other death then this ; the feare to dye . On St. Peter casting away his Nets at our Saviours call . THou hast the art on 't Peter ; and canst tell To cast thy Nets on all occasions well . When Christ calls , and thy Nets would have thee st●● To cast them well's to cast them quite away . Our Lord in his Circumcision to his Father . TO thee these first fruits of my growing death ( For what else is my life ? ) ●o I bequeath . Tast this , and as thou lik'st this lesser flood Expect a Sea , my heart shall make it good . Thy wrath that wades heere now , e're long shall swim The flood-gate shall be set wide ope for him . Then let him drinke , and drinke , and doe his worst , To drowne the wantonnesse of his wild thirst . No'ws but the Nonage of my paines , my feares Are yet both in their hopes , not come to yeares . The day of my darke woes is yet but morne , My teares but tender and my death new-borne . Yet may these unfledg'd griefes give fate some guesse , These Cradle-torments have their towardnesse . These purple buds of blooming death may bee , Erst the full stature of a fatall tree . And till my riper woes to age are come , This knife may be the speares Praeludium . On the wounds of our crucified Lord. O These wakefull wounds of thine ! Are they Mouthes ? or are they eyes ? Be they Mouthes , or be they eyne , Each bleeding part some one supplies . Lo ! a mouth , whose full-bloom'd lips At two deare a rate are roses . Lo ! a blood-shot eye ! that weepes And many a cruell teare discloses . O thou that on this foot hast laid Many a kisse , and many a Teare , Now thou shal't have all repaid , Whatsoe're thy charges were . This foot hath got a Mouth and lippes , To pay the sweet summe of thy kisses : To pay thy Teares , an Eye that weeps In stead of Teares Such Gems as this is . The difference onely this appeares , ( Nor can the change offend ) The debt is paid in Ruby-Teares , Which thou in Pearles did'st lend . On our crucified Lord Naked , and bloody . Th' have left thee naked Lord , O that they had ; This Garment too I would they had deny'd . Thee w●th thy selfe they have too richly clad , Opening the purple wardrobe of thy side . O never could bee found Garments too good For thee to weare , but these , of thine owne blood . Easter day . RIse , Heire of fresh Eternity , From thy V●rgin Tombe : Rise mighty man of wonders , and thy world with thee Thy Tombe , the universall East , Natures new wombe , Thy Tombe , faire Immortalities perfumed Nest , Of all the Gloryes Make Noone gay This is the Morne . This rocke buds forth the fountaine of the streames of Day In joyes white Annals live this houre , When life was borne , No cloud scoule on his radiant lids no tempest lowre . Life , by this light 's Nativity All creatures have . Death onely by this Dayes just Doome is forc't to Dye ; Nor is Death forc't ; for may hee ly Thron'd in thy Grave ; Death will on this condition be content to Dy. On the bleeding wounds of our crucified Lord. IEsu , no more , it is full tide From thy hands and from thy feet , From thy head , and from thy side , All thy Purple Rivers meet . Thy restlesse feet they cannot goe . For us and our eternall good As they are wont ; what though ? They swim , alas ! in their owne flood . Thy hand to give thou canst not lift ; Yet will thy hand still giving bee ; It gives , but ô itself 's the Guift , It drops though bound , though bound 't is free . But ô thy side ! thy deepe dig'd side That hath a double Nilus going , Nor ever was the Pharian t●de Halfe so fruitfull , halfe so flowing . What need thy faire head beare a part In Teares ? as if thine eyes had none ? What need they helpe to drowne thine heart , That strives in Torrents of its owne ? Water'd by the showres they bring , The thornes that thy blest browes encloses ( A cruell and a costly spring ) Conceive proud hopes of proving Roses . Not a haire but payes his River To this Red Sea of thy blood , Their little channels can deliver Something to the generall flood . But while I speake , whither are run All the Rivers nam'd before ? I counted wrong ; there is but one , But ô that one is one all'ore . Raine-swolne Rivers may rise proud Threatning all to overflow , But when indeed all 's overflow'd They themselves are drowned too . This thy Bloods deluge ( a dire chance Deare Lord to thee ) to us is found A deluge of deliverance , A deluge least we should be drown'd . Nere was 't thou in a sence so sadly true , The well of living Waters , Lord , till now . Sampson to his Dalilah . COuld not once blinding me , cruell , suff●ce ? When first I look't on thee , I lost mine eyes . Psalme 23. HAppy me ! ô happy sheepe ! Whom my God vouchsafes to keepe ; Even my God , even he it is That points me to these wayes of blisse ; One whose pastures cheerefull spring , All the yeare doth sit and sing , And rejoycing smiles to see Their greene backs were his liverie ▪ Pleasure sings my soule to rest , Plenty weares me at her brest , Whose sweet temper teaches me Nor wanton , nor in want to be . At my feet the blubb'ring Mountaine Weeping , melts into a Fountaine , Whose soft silver-sweating streames Make high Noone forget his beames : When my waiward breath is flying , Hee calls home my soule from dying , Strokes and tames my rabid Griefe , And does woe me into life : When my simple weaknesse strayes , ( Tangled in forbidden wayes ) Hee ( my Shepheard ) is my Guide , Hee 's before me , on my side , And behind me , he beguiles Craft in all her knotty wiles : Hee expounds the giddy wonder Of my weary steps , and under Spreads a Path cleare as the Day , Where no churlish rub saies nay To my joy-conducted Feet , Whil'st they Gladly goe to meet Grace and peace , to meet new laies Tun'd to my great Shepheards praise . Come now all yee terrors , sally Muster forth into the valley , Where triumphant darknesse hovers With a sable wing , that covers Brooding Horror . Come thou Death , Let the damps of thy dull Breath Overshadow even the shade , And make darknesse selfe afraid ; There my feet , even there shall find Way for a resolved mind . Still my Shepheard , still my God Thou art with me , Still thy rod , And thy staffe , whose influence Gives direction , gives defence . At the whisper of thy Word Crown'd abundance spreads my Bord : While I feast , my foes doe feed Their rank malice not their need , So that with the self-same bread They are starv'd , and I am fed . How my head in ointment swims ! How my cup orelooks her Brims ! So , even so still may I move By the Line of thy deare Love ; Still may thy sweet mercy spread A shady Arme above my head , About my Paths , so shall I find The faire Center of my mind Thy Temple , and those lovely walls Bright ever with a beame that falls Fresh from the pure glance of thine eye , Lighting to Eternity . There I 'le dwell for ever , there Will I find a purer aire To feed my Life with , there I 'le sup Balme and Nectar in my Cup , And thence my ripe soule will I breath Warme into the Armes of Death . Psalme 137. ON the proud bankes of great Euphrates flood , There we sate , and there we wept : Our Harpes that now no Musicke understood , Nodding on the Willowes slept , While unhappy captiv'd wee Lovely Sion thought on thee . They , they that snatcht us from our Countries brest Would have a Song carv'd to their Eares In Hebrew numbers , then ( ô cruell jest ! ) When Harpes and hearts were drown'd in Teares : Come , they cry'd , come sing and play On of Sions songs to day . Sing ? play ? to whom ( ah ) shall we sing or play , If not Ierusalem to thee ? Ah thee Ierusalem ! ah sooner may This hand forget the mastery Of Musicks dainty touch , then I The Musicke of thy memory . Which when I lose , ô may at once my Tongue Lose this same busie speaking art Vnpearcht , her vocall Arteries unst●ung , No more acquainted with my Heart , On my dry pallats roofe to rest A wither'd Leafe , an idle Guest ▪ No , no , thy good , Sion , alone must crowne The head of all my hope-nurst joyes . But Edom cruell thou ! thou cryd'st ddowne , downe Sinke Sion , downe and never rise , Her falling thou did'st urge and thrust , And haste to dash her into dust . Dost laugh ? proud Babels Daughter ! do , laugh on , Till thy ruine teach thee Teares , Even such as these , laugh , till a venging throng Of woes , too late doe rouze thy feares . Laugh , till thy childrens bleeding bones Weepe pretious Teares upon the stones . A Hymne of the Nativity , sung by the Shepheards . Chorus . COme wee Shepheards who have seene Dayes King deposed by Nights Queene . Come lift we up our lofty song , To wake the Sun that sleeps too long . Hee in this our generall joy , Slept , and dreampt of no such thing While we found out the fair-ey'd Boy , And kist the Cradle of our King ; Tell him hee rises now too late , To shew us ought worth looking at . Tell him wee now can shew him more Then hee e're shewd to mortall sight , Then hee himselfe e're saw before , Which to be seene needs not his light : Tell him Tityrus where th' hast been , Tell him Thyrsis what th' hast seen . Tytirus . Gloomy Night embrac't the place Where the noble Infant lay : The Babe lookt up , and shew'd his face , In spight of Darknesse it was Day . It was thy Day , Sweet , and did r●se , Not from the East , but from thy eyes , Thyrsis . Winter chid the world , and sent The angry North to wage his warres : The North forgot his fierce intent , And lest perfumes , in stead of scarres : By those sweet Eyes persuasive Powers , Where he meant frosts , he scattered Flowers . B●th . We saw thee in thy Balmy Nest , Bright Dawne of our Eternall Day ; Wee saw thine Eyes-break from the East , And chase the trembling shades away : Wee saw thee ( and wee blest the sight ) Wee saw thee by thine owne sweet Light. Tityrus . I saw the curl'd drops , soft and slow Come hovering o're the places head , Offring their whitest sheets of snow , To furnish the faire Infants Bed. Forbeare ( said I ) be not too bold , Your fleece is white , but 't is too cold . Thyrsis . I saw th'officious Angels bring , The downe that their soft brests did strow , For well they now can spare their wings , When Heaven it selfe lyes here below . Faire Youth ( said I ) be not too rough , Thy Downe though soft's not soft enough . Tityrus . The Babe no sooner 'gan to seeke , Where to lay his lovely head , But streight his eyes advis'd his Cheeke , 'Twixt Mothers Brests to goe to bed . Sweet choise ( said I ) no way but so , Not to lye cold , yet sleepe in snow . All. Welcome to our wondring sight Eternity shut in a span ! Summer in Winter ! Day in Night ! Chorus . Heaven in Earth ! and God in Man ! Great litle one , whose glorious Birth , Lifts Earth to Heaven , stoops heaven to earth ▪ Welcome , though not to Gold , nor Silke , To more then Caesars Birthright is . Two sister-Seas of virgins Milke , With many a rarely-temper'd kisse , That breathes at once both Maid and Mother , Warmes in the one , cooles in the other . Shee sings thy Teares asleepe , and dips Her Kisses in thy weeping Eye , Shee spreads the red leaves of thy Lips , That in their Buds yet blushing lye . Shee 'gainst those Mother-Diamonds tryes The points of her young Eagles Eyes . Welcome , ( though not to those gay flyes Guilded i' th' Beames of Earthly Kings Slippery soules in smiling eyes ) But to poore Shepheards , simple things , That use no varnish , no oyl'd Arts , But lift clean hands full of cleare hearts . Yet when young Aprils husband showres , Shall blesse the fruitfull Maia's Bed , Wee 'l bring the first-borne of her flowers , To kisse thy feet , and crowne thy head . To thee ( Dread Lambe ) whose Love must keepe The Shepheards , while they feed their sheepe . To thee meeke Majesty , soft King Of simple Graces , and sweet Loves , Each of us his Lamb will bring , Each his payre of silver Doves . At last , in fire of thy faire Eyes , Wee 'l burne , our owne best sacrifice . Vpon the Death of a Gentleman . FAithlesse and fond Mortality , Who will ever credit thee ? Fond and faithlesse thing ! that thus , In our best hopes beguilest us . What a reckoning hast thou made , Of the hopes in him we laid ? For Life by volumes lengthened , A Line or two , to speake him dead . For the Laurell in his verse , The sullen Cypresse o're his Herse . For a silver-crowned Head , A durty pillow in Death's Bed. For so deare , so deep a trust , Sad requitall , thus much dust ! Now though the blow that snatcht him hence , Stopt the Mouth of Eloquence , Though shee be dumbe e're since his Death , Not us'd to speake but in his Breath , Yet if at least shee not denyes , The sad language of our eyes , Wee are contented : for then this Language none more fluent is . Nothing speakes our Griefe so well As to speake Nothing , Come then tell Thy mind in Teares who e're Thou be , That ow'st a Name to misery . Eyes are vocall , Teares have Tongues , And there be words not made with lungs ; Sententious showers , ô let them fall , Their cadence is Rhetoricall . Here 's a Theame will drinke th' expence , Of all thy watry Eloquence , Weepe then , onely be exprest Thus much , Hee 's Dead , and weepe the rest . Vpon the Death of Mr. Herrys . A Plant of noble stemme , forward and faire , As ever whisper'd to the Morning Aire Thriv'd in these haphy Grounds , the Earth's just pride , Whose rising Glories made such haste to hide His head in Cloudes , as if in him alone Impatient Nature had taught motion To start from Time , and cheerfully to fly Before , and seize upon Maturity . Thus grew this gratious plant , in whose sweet shade The Sunne himselfe oft wisht to sit , and made The Morning Muses perch like Birds , and sing Among his Branches : yea , and vow'd to bring His owne delicious Phoenix from the blest Arabia , there to build her Virgin nest , To hatch her selfe in , 'mongst his leaves the Day Fresh from the Rosie East rejoyc't to play . To them shee gave the first and fairest Beame That waited on her Birth ▪ she gave to them The purest Pearles , that wept her Evening Death , The balmy Zephirus got so sweet a Breath By often kissing them , and now begun Glad Time to ripen expectation . The timourous Maiden-Blossomes on each Bough , Peept forth from their first blushes : so that now A Thousand ruddy hopes smil'd in each Bud , And flatter'd every greedy eye that stood Fixt in Delight , as if already there Those rare fruits dangled , whence the Golden Yeare His crowne expected , when ( ô Fate , ● Time That seldome lett'st a blushing youthfull Prime Hide his hot Beames in shade of silver Age ; So rare is hoary vertue ) the dire rage Of a mad storme these bloomy joyes all tore , Ravisht the Maiden Blossoms , and downe bore The trunke . Yet in this Ground his pretious Root Still lives , which when weake Time shall be pour'd out Into Eternity , and circular joyes Dance in an endlesse round , againe shall rise The faire son of an ever-youthfull Spring , To be a shade for Angels while they sing , Meane while who e're thou art that ●assest here , O doe thou water it with one kind Teare . Vpon the Death of the most desired Mr. Herrys . DEath , what dost ? ô hold thy Blow , What thou dost , thou dost not know . Death thou must not here be cruell , This is Natures choycest Iewell . This is hee in whose rare frame , Nature labour'd for a Name , And meant to leave his pretious feature , The patterne of a perfect Creature . Ioy of Goodnesse , Love of Art , Vertue weares him next her heart . Him the Muses love to follow , Him they call their vice - Apollo . Apollo golden though thou bee , Th' art not fairer then is hee . Nor more lovely lift'st thy head , Blushing from thine Easterne Bed. The Gloryes of thy Youth ne're knew , Brighter hopes then he can shew . Why then should it e're be seene , That his should fade , while thine is Greene ▪ And wilt Thou , ( ô cruell boast ! ) Put poore Nature to such cost ? O 't will undoe our common Mother , To be at charge of such another . What ? thinke we to no other end , Gracious Heavens do use to send Earth her best perfection , But to vanish and be gone ? Therefore onely give to day , To morrow to be snatcht away ? I 've seen indeed the hopefull bud , Of a ruddy Rose that stood Blushing , to behold the Ray Of the new-saluted Day ; ( His tender toppe not fully spread ) The sweet dash of a shower now shead , Invited him no more to hide . Within himselfe the purple pride Of his forward flower , when ●o While he sweetly 'gan to show His swelling Gloryes , Auster spide him , Cruell Auster thither hy'd him , And with the rush of one rude blast , Sham'd not spitefully to wast All his leaves , so fresh , so sweet , And lay them trembling at his feet . I 've seene the Mornings lovely Ray , Hover o're the new-borne Day : With rosie wings so richly Bright , As if he scorn'd to thinke of Night , When a ruddy storme whose scoule , Made Heavens radiant face looke foule ▪ Call'd for an untimely Night , To blot the newly blossom'd Light. But were the Roses blush so rare , Were the Mornings smile so faire As is he , nor cloud , nor wind But would be courteous , would be kind . Spare him Death , ô spare him then , Spare the sweetest among men . Let not pitty with her Teares , Keepe such distance from thine Eares , But ô thou wilt not , canst not spare , Haste hath never time to heare . Therefore if hee needs must go , And the Fates will have it so , Softly may he be possest , Of his monumentall rest . Safe , thou darke home of the dead , Safe ô hide his loved head . For Pitties sake ô hide him quite , From his Mother Natures sight : Lest for Griefe his losse may move , All her Births abortive prove , Another . IF ever Pitty were acquainted With sterne Death , if e're he fainted , Or forgot the cruell vigour , Of an Adamantine rigour , Here , ô here we should have knowne it , Here or no where hee 'd have showne it . For hee whose pretious memory , Bathes in Teares of every eye ▪ Hee to whom our sorrow brings , All the streames of all her springs ▪ Was so rich in Grace and Nature , In all the gifts that blesse a Creature . The fresh hopes of his lovely Youth , Flourisht in so faire a grouth . So sweet the Temple was , that shrin'd The Sacred sweetnesse of his mind . That could the Fates know to relent ? Could they know what mercy meant ; Or had ever learnt to beare , The soft tincture of a Teare : Teares would now have flow'd so deepe , As might have taught Griefe how to weepe . Now all their steely operation , Would quite have lost the cruell fashion . Sicknesse would have gladly been , Sick himselfe to have sav'd him : And his Feaver wish'd to prove Burning , onely in his Love. Him when wrath it selfe had seene , Wrath its selfe had lost his spleene . Grim Destruction here amaz'd , In stead of striking would have gaz'd . Even the Iron-pointed pen , That notes the Tragicke Doomes of men Wet with teares still'd from the eyes , Of the flinty Destinyes ; Would have learn't a softer style , And have been asham'd to spoyle His lives sweet stoty , by the hast , Of a cruell stop ill plac't . In the darke volume of our fate , Whence each leafe of Life hath date , Where in sad particulars , The totall summe of Man appeares . And the short clause of mortall Breath , Bound in the period of Death , In all the Booke if any where Such a tearme as this , spare here Could have been found 't would have been read , Writ in white Letters o're his head : Or close unto his name annext , The faire glosse of a fairer Text. In briefe , if any one were free , Hee was that one , and onely he . But he , alas ! even hee is dead And our hopes faire harvest spread In the dust . Pitty now spend All the teares that griefe can lend . Sad mortality may hide , In his ashes all her pride ; With this inscription o're his head All hope of never dying , here lyes dead His Epitaph . PAssenger who e're thou art , Stay a while , and let thy Heart Take acquaintance of this stone , Before thou passest further on . This stone will tell thee that beneath , Is entomb'd the Crime of Death ; The ripe endowments of whose mind , Left his Yeares so much behind , That numbring of his vertuos praise , Death lost the reckoning of his Dayes ; And believing what they told , Imagin'd him exceeding old . In him perfection did set forth , The strength of her united worth . Him his wisdomes pregnant growth Made so reverend , even in Youth , That in the Center of his Brest ( Sweet as is the Phaenix nest ) Every reconciled Grace , Had their Generall meeting place In him Goodnesse joy'd to see Learning , learne Humility . The splendor of his Birth and Blood , Was but the Glosse of his owne Good : The flourish of his sober Youth , Was the Pride of Naked Truth . In composure of his face , Liv'd a faire , but manly Grace . His Mouth was Rhetoricks best mold , His Tongue the Touchstone of her Gold. What word so e're his Breath kept warme , Was no word now but a charme . For all persuasive Graces thence Suck't their sweetest Influence . His vertue that within had root , Could not chuse but shine without . And th'heart-bred lustre of his worth , At each corner peeping forth , Pointed him out in all his wayes , Circled round in his owne Rayes : That to his sweetnesse , all mens eyes Were vow'd Loves flaming Sacrifice . Him while fresh and fragrant Time Cherisht in his Golden Prime ; E're Hebe's hand had overlaid His smooth cheekes , with a downy shade : The rush of Death's unruly wave , Swept him off into his Grave . Enough , now ( if thou canst ) passe on , For now ( alas ) not in this stone ( Passenger who e're thou art ) Is he entomb'd , but in thy Heart . An Epitaph Vpon Husband and Wife , which died , and were buried together . TO these , Whom Death again did wed , This Grave 's the second Marriage-Bed . For though the hand of Fate could force , 'Twixt Soule and body a Divorce : It could not sever Man and Wife , Because they both liv'd but one Life . Peace , good Reader , doe not weepe ; Peace , the Lovers are asleepe : They ( sweet Turtles ) folded lye , In the last knot that love could tye . Let them sleepe , let them sleepe on , Till this stormy night be gone . And th' eternall morrow dawne , Then the Curtaines will bee drawne , And they waken with that Light , Whose day shall never sleepe in Night . An Epitaph . Vpon Doctor Brooke . A Brooke whose streame so great , so good , Was lov'd was honour'd as a flood : Whose Bankes the Muses dwelt upon , More then their owne Helicon ; Here at length , hath gladly found A quiet passage under ground ; Meane while his loved bankes now dry , The Muses with their teares supply . Vpon Mr. Staninough's Death . DEare reliques of a dislodg'd soule , whose lacke Makes many a mourning Paper put on blacke ; O stay a while e're thou draw in thy Head , And wind thy selfe up close in thy cold Bed : Stay but a little while , untill I call A summons , worthy of thy Funerall . Come then youth , Beauty , and Blood , all ye soft powers , Whose silken flatteryes swell a few fond hou●es . Into a false Eternity , come man , ( Hyperbolized nothing ! ) know thy span . Take thine owne measure here , downe , downe , and bow Before thy selfe in thy Idaea , thou Huge emptinesse contract thy bulke , and shrinke All thy wild Circle to a point ! ô sinke Lower , and lower yet ; till thy small size , Call Heaven to looke on thee with narrow eyes ▪ Lesser and lesser yet , till thou begin To show a face , fit to confesse thy kin Thy neighbour-hood to nothing ! here put on Thy selfe in this unfeign'd reflection ; Here gallant Ladyes , this unpartiall glasse ( Through all your painting ) showes you your own face . These Death-scal'd Lipps are they dare give the lye , To the proud hopes of poor Mortality . These curtain'd windowes , this selfe-prison'd eye , Out-stares the Liddes of large-look't Tyranny . This posture is the brave one : this that lyes Thus low stands up ( me thinkes ) thus , and defyes The world — All daring Dust and Ashes , onely you Of all interpreters read nature true . Vpon the Duke of Yorke his Birth A Panegyricke . BRittaine , the mighty Oceans lovely Bride , Now strech thy self ( faire Ile ) and grow , spread wide Thy bosome and make roome ; Thou art opprest With thine owne Gloryes : and art strangely blest Beyond thy selfe : for lo ! the Gods , the Gods Come fast upon thee , and those glorious ods , Swell thy full gloryes to a pitch so high , As sits above thy best capacitye . Are they not ods ? and glorious ? that to thee Those mighty Genii throng , which well might bee Each one an Ages labour , that thy dayes Are guilded with the Vnion of those Rayes , Whose each divided Beame would be a Sun , To glad the Spheare of any Nation . O if for these thou mean'st to find a seat , Th' ast need ô Brittaine to be truly Great . And so thou art , their presence makes thee so , They are thy Greatnesse ; Gods where e're they go Bring their Heaven with them , their great footsteps place An everlasting smile upon the face , Of the glad Earth they tread on , while with thee Those Beames that ampliate Mortalitie , And teach it to expatiate , and swell To Majesty , and fulnesse deigne to dwell . Thou by thy selfe maist sit , ( blest Isle ) and see How thy Great Mother Nature doats on thee : Thee therefore from the rest apart she hurl'd , And seem'd to make an Isle , but made a world . Great Charles ! thou sweet Dawne of a glorious day , Center of those thy Grandsires , shall I say Henry and Iames , or Mars and Phoebus rather ? If this were Wisdomes God , that Wars sterne father , 'T is but the same is said , Henry and Iames Are Mars and Phoebus under divers Names . O thou full mixture of those mighty soules , Whose vast intelligences tun'd the Poles Of Peace and Warre ; Thou for whose manly brow Both Lawrels twine into one wreath , and wooe To be thy Garland : see ( sweet Prince ) ô see Thou and the lovely hopes that smile in thee Are ta'ne out and transcrib'd by thy Great Mother , See , see thy reall shadow , see thy Brother , Thy little selfe in lesse , read in these Eyne The beames that dance in those full starres of thine . From the same snowy Alablaster Rocke These hands and thine were hew'n , these Cherrimock The Corall of thy lips . Thou art of all This well-wrought Copy the faire Principall . Iustly , Great Nature , may'st thou brag and tell How even th' ast drawne this faithfull Paralell , And matcht thy Master-Peece : ô then go on Make such another sweet comparison . See'st thou that Mary there ? ô teach her Mother To shew her to her selfe in such another : Fellow this wonder too , nor let her shine Alone , light such another starre , and twine Their Rosie Beames , so that the Morne for one Venus , may have a Constellation . So have I seene ( to dresse their Mistresse May ) Two silken sister flowers consult , and lay Their bashfull cheekes together , newly they Peep't from their buds , shew'd like the Gardens eyes Scarce wakt : like was the Crimson of their joyes , Like were the Pearle● they wept , so like that one Seem'd but the others kind reflection . But stay , what glimpse was that ? why blusht the day ▪ Why ran the started aire trembling away ? Who 's this that comes circled in rayes , that scorne Acquaintance with the Sunne ? what second Morne At mid-day opes a presence which Heavens eye Stands off and points at ? is 't some Deity Stept from her Throne of starres deignes to be seene● Is it some Deity ? or is 't our Queene ? 'T is shee , 't is shee : her awfull Beauties chase The Dayes abashed Glories , and in face Of Noone weare their owne Sunshine , ô thou bright Mistresse of wonders ! Cynthia's is the Night , But thou at Noone dost shine , and art all Day , ( Nor does the Sunne deny 't ) our Cynthia , Illustrious sweetnesse ! In thy faithfull wombe , That ' Nest of Heroes , all our hopes finde roome . Thou art the Mother Phaenix , and thy Breast Chast as that Virgin honour of the East , But much more fruitfull is ; nor does , as shee , Deny to mighty Love a Deity ▪ Then let the Easterne world bragge and be proud Of one coy Phaenix , while we have a brood A brood of Phaenixes ; while we have Brother And Sister Phaenixes , and still the Mother ; And may we long ; long may'st thou live , t' encrease The house and family of Phaenixes . Nor may the light that gives their Eye-lids light , E're prove the dismall Morning of thy Night : Ne're may a Birth of thine be bought so deare , To make his costly cradle of thy Beere . O mayst thou thus make all the yeare thine owne , And see such Names of joy sit white upon The brow of every Moneth ; and when that 's done Mayest in a son of his find every son Repeated , and that son still in another , And so in each child often prove a Mother : Long mayest thou laden with such clusters leane Vpon thy Royall Elme ( faire Vine ) and when The Heavens will stay no longer , may thy glory And Name dwell sweet in some eternall story . Pardon ( bright excellence ) an untun'd string , That in thy Eares thus keeps a murmuring O speake a lowly Muses pardon ; speake Her pardon or her sentence ; onely breake Thy silence ; speake ; and she shall take from thence Numbers , and sweetnesse , and an influence Confessing thee : or ( if too long I stay ) O speake thou and my Pipe hath nought to say : For see Appollo all this while stands mute , Expecting by thy voyce to tune his Lute . But Gods are gratious : and their Altars , make Pretious their offerings that their Altars take . Give then this rurall wreath fire from thine eyes . This rurall wreath dares be thy sacrifice . Vpon Ford's two Tragedyes Loves Sacrifice and The Broken Heart . THou cheat'st us Ford , mak'st one seeme two by Art. What is Loves Sacrifice , but the broken Heart ? On a foule Morning , being then to take a journey . WHere art thou Sol , while thus the blind-fold Day Staggers out of the East , looses her way Stumbling on Night ? Rouze thee Illustrious Youth , And let no dull mists choake the Lights faire growth . Point here thy Beames ; ô glance on yonder flockes , And make their fleeces Golden as thy lockes . Vnfold thy faire front , and there shall appeare Full glory , flaming in her owne free spheare . Gladnesse shall cloath the Earth , we will in stile The face of things , an universall smile . Say to the Sullen Morne , thou com'st to court her ; And wilt command proud Zephirus to sport her With wanton gales : his balmy breath shall licke The tender drops which tremble on her cheeke ; Which rarifyed , and in a gentle raine On those delicious bankes distill'd againe Shall rise in a sweet Harvest ; which discloses To every blushing Bed of new-borne Roses . Hee 'l fan her bright locks teaching them to flow , And friske in curl'd Maeanders : Hee will throw A fragrant Breath suckt from the spicy nest O' th preticus Phoenix , warme upon her Breast . Hee with a dainty and soft hand , will trim And brush her Azure Mantle , which shall swim In silken Volumes , wheresoe're shee 'l tread , Bright clouds like Golden fleeces shall be spread . Rise then ( faire blew-ey'd Maid ) rise and discover Thy silver brow , and meet thy Golden lover . See how hee runs , with what a hasty flight Into thy Bosome , bath'd with liquid Light. Fly , fly prophane fogs , farre hence fly away , Taint not the pure streames of the springing Day , With your dull influence , it is for you , To sit and scoule upon Nights heavy brow ; Not on the fresh cheekes of the virgin Morne , Where nought but smiles , and ruddy joyes are worne . Fly then , and doe not thinke with her to stay ; Let it suffice , shee 'l weare no maske to day . Vpon the faire Ethiopian sent to a Gentlewoman . LO here the faire Chariclia ! in whom strove So false a Fortune , and so true a Love. Now after all her toyles by Sea and Land , O may she but arrive at your white hand . Her hopes are crown'd , onely she feares that than , Shee shall appeare true Ethiopian . On Marriage . I Would be married , but I 'de have no Wife , I would be married to a single Life . To the Morning . Satisfaction for sleepe . WHat succour can I hope the Muse will send Whose drowsinesse hath wrong'd the Muses friend ? What hope Aurora to propitiate thee , Vnlesse the Muse sing my Apology ? O in that morning of my shame ! when I Lay folded up in sleepes captivity ; How at the sight did'st Thou draw back thine Eyes , Into thy modest veyle ? how did'st thou rise Twice di'd in thine owne blushes , and did'st run To draw the Curtaines , and awake the Sun ? Who rowzing his illustrious tresses came , And seeing the loath'd object , hid for shame His head in thy faire Bosome , and still hides Mee from his Patronage ; I pray , he chides : And pointing to dull Morpheus , bids me take My owne Apollo , try if I can make His Lethe be my Helicon : and see If Morpheus have a Muse to wait on mee . Hence 't is my humble fancy finds no wings , No nimble raptures , starts to Heaven and brings Enthusiasticke flames , such as can give Marrow to my plumpe Genius , make it live Drest in the glorious madnesse of a Muse , Whose feet can walke the milky way , and chuse Her starry Throne ; whose holy heats can warme The Grave , and hold up an exalted arme To lift me from my lazy Vrne , to climbe Vpon the stooped shoulders of old Time ; And trace Eternity — But all is dead , All these delicious hopes are buried , In the deepe wrinckles of his angry brow , Where mercy cannot find them : but ô thou Bright Lady of the Morne , pitty doth lye So warme in thy soft Brest it cannot dye . Have mercy then , and when he next shall rise O meet the angry God , invade his Eyes , And stroake his radiant Cheekes ; one timely kisse Will kill his anger , and rev●ve my blisse . So to the treasure of thy pearly deaw , Thrice will I pay three Teares , to show how true My griefe is ; so my wakefull lay shall knocke At th' Orientall Gates ; and duly mocke The early Larkes shrill Orizons to be An Anthem at the Dayes Nativitie . And the same rosie-fingerd hand of thine , That shuts Nights dying eyes , shall open mine . But thou , faint God of sleepe , forget that I Was ever knowne to be thy votery . No more my pillow shall thine Altar be , Nor will I offer any more to thee My selfe a melting sacrifice ; I 'me borne Againe a f●esh Child of the Buxome Morne , Heire of the Suns first Beames ; why threat'st thou so● Why dost thou shake thy leaden Scepter ? goe , Bestow thy Poppy upon wakefull woe , Sicknesse , and sorrow , whose pale lidds ne're know Thy downy finger , dwell upon their Eyes , Shut in their Teares ; Shut out their miseryes Loves Horoscope . LOve , brave vertues younger Brother , Erst hath made my Heart a Mother , Shee consults the conscious Spheares , To calculate her young sons yeares . Shee askes if sad , or saving powers , Gave Omen to his infant howers , Shee asks each starre that then stood by , If poore Love shall live or dy . Ah my Heart , is that the way ? Are these the Beames that rule thy Day ? Thou know'st a Face in whose each looke , Beauty layes ope loves Fortune-booke , On whose faire revolutions wait The obsequious motions of Loves fate , Ah my Hear● , her eyes and shee , Have taught thee new Astrology . How e're Loves native houres were set , What ever starry Synod met , 'T is in the mercy of her eye , If poore Love shall live or dye , If those sharpe Rayes putting on Points of Death bid Love be gone ( Though the Heavens in counsell sate , To crowne an uncontrouled Fa●e , Though their best Aspects twin'd upon The kindest Constellation , Cast amorous glances on h●s Birth , And whisper'd the confederate Earth To pave his pathes with all the good That warmes the Bed of youth and blood Love ha's no plea against her eye Beauty frownes , and Love must dye . But if her milder influence move ; And guild the hopes of humble Love : ( Though heavens inauspicious eye Lay blacke on loves Nativitye ; Though every Diamond in Ioves crowne Fixt his forehead to a frowne , ) Her Eye a strong appeale can give , Beauty smiles and love shall live . O if Love shall live , ô where But in her Eye , or in her Eare , In her Brest , or in her Breath , Shall I hide poore Love from Death ? For in the life ought else can give , Love shall dye although he live . Or if Love shall dye , ô where , But in her Eye , or in her Eare , In her Breath , or in her Breast , Shall I Build his funerall Nest ? While Love shall thus entombed lye , Love shall live , although he dye . Sospetto d' Herode . Libro Primo . Argomento . Casting the times with their strong signes , Death's Master his owne death divines . Strugling for helpe , his best hope is Hero'ds suspition may heale his . Therefore he ( ends a fiend to wake , The sleeping Tyrant's fond mistake ; Who feares ( in vaine ) that he whose Birth Meanes Heav'n , should meddle with his Earth . 1 MVse , now the servant of soft Loves no more , Hate is thy Theame , and Herod , whose unblest Hand ( ô what dares not jealous Greatnesse ? ) tore A thousand sweet Babes from their Mothers Brest : The Bloomes of Martyrdome . O be a Dore Of language to my infant Lips , yee best Of Confessours : whose Throates answering his swords , Gave forth your Blood for breath , spoke soules for words . 2 Great Anthony ! Spains well-beseeming pride , Thou mighty branch of Emperours and Kings . The Beauties of whose dawne what eye may bide , Which With the Sun himselfe weigh's equall wings . Mappe of Heroick worth ! whom farre and wide To the beleeving world Fame boldly sings : Deigne thou to weare this humble Wreath that bowes , To be the sacred Honour of thy Browes . 3. Nor needs my Muse a blush , or these bright Flowers Other then what their owne blest beauties bring . They were the smiling sons of those sweet Bowers , That drinke the deaw of Life , whose deathlesse spring , Nor Sirian flame , nor Borean frost deflowers : From whence Heav'n-labouring Bees with busie wing , Suck hidden sweets , which well digested proves Immortall Hony for the Hive of Loves . 4. Thou , whose strong hand with so transcendent worth , Holds high the reine of faire Parthenope , That neither Rome , nor Athens can bring forth A Name in noble deedes Rivall to thee ! Thy Fames full noise , makes proud the patient Earth , Farre more then matter for my Muse and mee . The Tyrrhene Seas , and shores sound all the same , And in their murmures keepe thy mighty Name . 5. Below the Botome of the great Abysse , There where one Center reconciles all things ; The worlds profound Heart pants ; There placed is Mischifes old Master , close about him clings A curl'd knot of embracing Snakes , that kisse His correspondent cheekes : these loathsome strings Hold the perverse Prince in eternall Ties Fast bound , since first he forfeited the skies , 6. The Iudge of Torments , and the King of Teares : Hee fills a burnisht Throne of quenchlesse fire : And for his old faire Roabes of Light , hee weares A gloomy Mantle of darke flames , the Tire That crownes his hated head on high appeares ; Where seav'n tall Hornes ( his Empires pride ) aspire . And to make up Hells Majesty , each Horne Seav'n crested Hydra's horribly adorne . 7. His Eyes , the sullen dens of Death and Night , Star●le the dull Ayre with a dismall red : Such his fell glances as the fatall Light Of staring Comets , that looke Kingdomes dead . From his black nostrills , and blew lips , in spight Of Hells owne stinke , a worser stench is spread . His breath Hells lightning is : and each deepe grone Disdaines to thinke that Heav'n Thunders alone . 8. His flaming Eyes dire exhalation , Vnto a dreadfull pile gives fiery Breath ; Whose unconsum'd consumption preys upon The never-dying Life , of a long Death . In this sad House of slow Destruction , ( His shop of flames ) hee fryes himselfe , beneath A masse of woes , his Teeth for Torment gnash , While his steele sides found with his Tayles strong lash . 9. Three Rigourous Virgins waiting still behind , Assist the Throne of th' Iron-Sceptred King. With whips of Thornes and knotty vipers twin'd They rouse him , when his ranke Thoughts need a sting , Their lockes are beds of uncomb'd snakes that wind About their shady browes in wanton Rings . Thus reignes the wrathfull King , and while he reignes His Scepter and himselfe both he disdaines . 10 Disdainefull wretch ! how hath one bold sinne cost Thee all the Beauties of thy once bright Eyes ? How hath one blacke Eclipse cancell'd , and crost The glories that did guild thee in thy Rise ? Proud Morning of a perverse Day ! how lost Art thou unto thy selfe , thou too selfe-wise Narcissus ? foolish Phaeton ? who for all Thy high-aym'd hopes , gaind'st but a flaming fall 11 From Death's sad shades , to the Life-breathing Ayre , This mortall Enemy to mankinds good , Lifts his malignant Eyes , wasted with care , To be come beautifull in humane blood . Where Iordan melts his Chrystall , to make faire The fields of Palestine , with so pure a flood , There does he fixe his Eyes : and there detect New matter , to make good his great suspect . 12 He calls to mind th' old quarrell , and what sparke Set the contending Sons of Heav'n on fire : Oft in his deepe thought he revolves the darke Sibills divining leaves : hee does enquire Into th' old Prophesies , trembling to marke How many present prodigies conspire , To crowne their past predictions , both hee layes Together , in his pondrous mind both weighes . 13. Heavens Golden-winged Herald , late hee saw To a poore Galilean virgin sent : How low the Bright Youth bow'd , and with what awe Immortall flowers to her faire hand present . Hee saw th' old Hebrewes wombe , neglect the Law Of Age and Barennesse , and her Babe prevent His Birth , by his Devotion , who began Betimes to be a Saint , before a Man. 14. Hee saw rich Nectar thawes , release the rigour Of th' Icy North , from frost-bount Atlas hands His Adamantine fetters fall : greene vigour Gladding the Scythian Rocks , and Libian sands . Hee saw a vernall smile , sweetly disfigure Winters sad face , and through the flowry lands Of faire Engaddi hony-sweating Fountaines With Manna , Milk , and Balm , new broach the Mountaines . 15. Hee saw how in that blest Day-bearing Night , The Heav'n-rebuked shades made hast away ; How bright a Dawne of Angels with new Light Amaz'd the midnight world , and made a Day Of which the Morning knew not : Mad with spight Hee markt how the poore Shepheards ran to pay Their simple Tribute to the Babe , whose Birth Was the great businesse both of Heav'n and Earth . 16. Hee saw a threefold Sun , with rich encrease , Make proud the Ruby portalls of the East . Hee saw the Temple sacred to sweet Peace , Adore her Princes Birth , flat on her Brest . Hee saw the falling Idols , all confesse A comming Deity . Hee saw the Nest Of pois'nous and unnaturall loves , Earth-nurst ; Toucht with the worlds true Antidote to burst . 17. He saw Heav'n blossome with a new-borne light , On wh●ch , as on a glorious stranger gaz'd The Golden eyes of Night : whose Beame made bright The way to Beth'lem , and as boldly blaz'd , ( Nor askt leave of the Sun ) by Day as Night . By whom ( as Heav'ns illustrious Hand-maid ) rais'd Three Kings ( or what is more ) three Wise men went Westward to find the worlds true Orient . 18. Strucke with these great concurrences of things , Symptomes so deadly , unto Death and him ; Faine would hee have forgot what fatall strings , Eternally bind each rebellious limbe . Hee shooke himselfe , and spread his spatious wings : Which like two Bosom'd sailes embrace the dimme Aire , with a dismall shade , but all in vaine , Of sturdy Adamant is his strong chaine . 19. While thus Heav'ns highest counsails , by the low Foot steps of their Effects , hee trac'd too well , Hee tost his troubled eyes , Embers that glow Now with new Rage , and wax too hot for Hell. With his foule clawes hee fenc'd his furrowed Brow , And gave a gastly shreeke , whose horrid yell Ran trembling through the hollow vaults of N●ght , The while his twisted Tayle hee gnaw'd for sp●ght . 20. Yet on the other side , faine would he start Above his feares , and thinke it cannot be . Hee studies Scripture , strives to sound the heart , And feele the pulse of every Prophecy . Hee knowes ( but knowes not how , or by what Art ) The Heav'n expecting Ages , hope to see A mighty Babe , whose pure , unspotted Birth , From a chast Virgin wombe , should blesse the Earth . 21. But these vast Mysteries his senses smother , And Reason ( for what 's Faith to him ? ) devoure . How she that is a maid should prove a Mother , Yet keepe inviolate her virgin flower ; How Gods eternall Sonne should be mans Brother , Poseth his proudest Intellectuall power . How a pure Spirit should incarnate bee , And life it selfe , weare Deaths fraile Livery . 22. That the Great Angell-blinding light should shrinke His blaze , to shine in a poore Shepheards eye . That the unmeasur'd God so low should sinke , As Pris'ner in a few poore Rags to lye . That from his Mothers Brest hee milke should drinke , Who feeds with Nectar Heav'ns faire family . That a vile Manger his low Bed should prove , Who in a Throne of stars Thunders above . 23. That hee whom the Sun serves , should fainely peepe Through clouds of Infant flesh : that hee the old Eternall Word should bee a Child , and weepe . That hee who made the fire , should feare the cold ; That Heav'ns high Majesty h●s Court should keepe In a clay-cottage , by each blast control'd . That Glories selfe should serve our Griefs , & feares : And free Eternity , submit to yeares . 24. And further , that the Lawes eternall Giver , Should bleed in his owne lawes obedience : And to the circumcising Knife deliver Himselfe , the forfeit of his slaves offence . That the unblemisht Lambe , blessed for ever , Should take the marke of sin , and paine of sence . These are the knotty Riddles , whose darke doubt Intangles his lost Thoughts , past getting out . 25. While new Thoughts boyl'd in his enraged Brest , His gloomy Bosomes darkest Character , Was in his shady forehead seen exprest . The forehead 's shade in Gr●efes expression there , Is what in signe of joy among the b●est The faces lightning , or a smile is here . Those stings of care that his strong Heart opp●est , A desperate , Oh mee , drew from his deepe Brest . 26. Oh mee ! ( thus bellow'd hee ) oh mee ● what great , Portents before mine eyes their Powers advance ? And serves my purer sight , onely to beat Downe my proud Thought , and leave it in a Trance ? Frowne I ; and can great Nature keep her seat ? And the gay starrs lead on their Golden dance ? Can his attempts above st●ll prosp'rous be , Auspicious still , in sp●ght of Hell and me ? 27. Hee has my Heaven ( what would he more ? ) whose bright And radiant Scepter this bold hand should beare . And for the never-fading fields of Light. My faire Inheritance , hee confines me here , To this darke House of shades , horrour , and Night , To draw a long-liv'd Death , where all my cheere Is the solemnity my sorrow weares , That Mankinds Torment waits upon my Teares . 28. Darke , dusky Man , he needs would single forth , To make the partner of his owne pure ●ay : And should we Powers of Heav'n , Spirits of worth Bow our bright Heads , before a King of clay ? It shall not be , said I , and clombe the North , Where never wing of Angell yet made way What though I m●st my blow ? yet I strooke high , And to dare something , is some victory . 29. Is hee not satisfied ? meanes he to wrest Hell from me too , and sack my Territories ? Vile humane Nature means he not t' invest ( O my despight ! ) with his divinest Glories ? And rising with rich spoiles upon his Brest , With his faire Triumphs fill all ●uture stories ? Must the bright armes of Heav'n , rebuke these eyes ? Mocke me , and dazle my darke Mysteries ? 30. Art thou not Lucifer ? hee to whom the droves Of stars , that guild the Morne in charge were given ? The nimblest of the lightning-winged Loves ? The fairest , and the first-borne smile of Heav'n ? Looke in what Pompe the Mistresse Planet moves Rev'rently circled by the lesser seaven , Such , and so rich , the flames that from thine eyes , O prest the common-people of the skyes . 31. Ah wretch ! what bootes thee to cast back thy eyes , Where dawning hope no beame of comfort showes ? While the reflection of thy forepast joyes , Renders thee double to thy present woes . Rather make up to thy new miseries , And meet the mischiefe that upon thee growes . If Hell must mourne , Heav'n sure shall sympathize What force cannot effect , fraud shall devise . 32. And yet whose force feare I ? have I so lost My selfe ? my strength too with my innocence ? Come try who dares , Heav'n , Earth , what ere dost boast , A borrowed being , make thy bold defence . Come thy Creator too , what though it cost Mee yet a second fall ? wee 'd try our strengths . Heav'n saw us struggle once , as brave a sight Earth now should see , and tremble at the sight . 33. Thus spoke th'impatient Prince , and made a pause , His foule Hags rais'd their heads , & clapt their hands . And all the Powers of Hell in full applause Flourisht their Snakes , and tost their flaming brands . Wee ( said the horrid sisters ) wait thy lawes , Th' obsequious handmaids of thy high commands . Be it thy part , Hells mighty Lord , to lay On us thy dread commands , ours to obey . 34. What thy Alecto , what these hands can doe , Thou mad'st bold proofe upon the brow of Heav'n , Nor should'st thou bate in pride , because that now , To these thy sooty Kingdomes thou art driven . Let Heav'ns Lord chide above lowder then thou In language of his Thunder , thou art even ▪ With him below : here thou art Lord alone Boundlesse and absolute : Hell is thine owne . 35. If usuall wit , and strength will doe no good , Vertues of stones , nor herbes : use stronger charmes , Anger , and love , best hookes of humane blood . If all fa●le wee 'l put on our proudest Armes , And pouring on Heav'ns face the Seas huge flood Quench his curl'd fires , wee 'l wake w●th our Alarmes Ru●ne , where e're she sleepes at Natures feet ; And crush the world till his wide corners meet . 36. Reply'd the proud King , O my Crownes Defence ? Stay of my strong hopes , you of whose brave worth , The frighted stars tooke faint experience , When 'gainst the Thunders mouth wee marched forth : Still you are prodigal of your Love's expence In our great projects , both 'gainst Heav'n and Earth . I thanke you all , but one must single out , Cruelty , she alone shall cure my doubt . 37. Fourth of the cursed knot of Hags is shee , Or rather all the other three in one ; Hells shop of slaughter shee do's oversee , And still assist the Execution . But chiefly there do's shee delight to be , Where Hells capacious Cauldron is set on : And while the black soules boile in their owne gore , To hold them down , and looke that none seethe o're . 38. Thr●ce howl'd the Caves of Night , and thrice the sound , Thundring upon the bankes of those black lakes Rung , through the hollow vaults of Hell profound : At last her l●stning Eares the noise o'retakes , Shee lifts her sooty lampes , and looking round A gen'rall h●sse , from the whole Tire of snakes Rebounding , through Hells inmost Cavernes came , In answer to her formidable Name . 39. Mongst all the Palaces in Hells command , No one so mercilesse as this of hers . The Adamantine Doors , for ever stand Impenetrable , both to prai'rs and Teares , The walls inexorable steele , no hand Of Time , or Teeth of hungry Ruine feares . Their ugly ornaments are the bloody staines , Of ragged limbs , torne sculls , & dasht our Braines . 40. There has the purple Vengeance a proud seat , Whose ever-brandisht Sword is sheath'd in blood . About her Hate , Wrath , Warre , and slaughter sweat ; Bathing their hot limbs in life's pretious flood . There rude impetuous Rage do's storme , and fret : And there , as Master of this murd'ring brood , Swinging a huge Sith stands impartiall Death , With endlesse businesse almost out of Breath . 41. For Hangings and for Curtaines , all along The walls , ( abominable ornaments ! ) Are tooles of wrath , Anvills of Torments hung ; Fell Executioners of foule intents , Nailes , hammers , hatchets sharpe , and halters strong , Swords , Speares , with all the fatall Instruments Of sin , and Death , twice dipt in the dire staines Of Brothers mutuall blood , and Fathers braines . 42. The Tables furnisht with a cursed Feast , Which Harpyes , with leane Famine feed upon , Vnfill'd for ever . Here among the rest , Inhumane Erisi-●thon too makes one ; Tantalus , Atreus , Progne , here are guests : Wolvish Ly●aon here a place hath won . The cup they drinke in is Medusa's scull , Which mixt with gall & blood they quaffe brim full . 43. The foule Queens most abhorred Maids of Honour Medaea , Iezabell , many a meager Witch With Circe , Scylla , stand to wait upon her . But her best huswifes are the Parcae , which Still worke for her , and have their wages from her . They prick a bleeding heart at every stitch . Her cruell cloathes of costly threds they weave , Which short-cut lives of murdred Infants leave . 44. The house is hers'd about with a black wood , Which nods with many a heavy headed tree . Each flowers a pregnant poyson , try'd and good , Each herbe a Plague . The winds sighes timed-bee By a black Fount , which weeps into a flood . Through the thick shades obscurely might you see Minotaures , Cyclopses , with a darke drove Of Dragons , Hydraes , Sphinxes , fill the Grove . 45. Here Diomed's Horses , Phereus dogs appeare , With the fierce Lyons of Therodamas . Eusiris ha's his bloody Altar here , Here Sylla his severest prison has . The Lestrigonians here their Table reare ; Here strong Procrustes plants his Bed of Brasse . Here cruell Scyron boasts his bloody rockes , And hatefull Schinis his so feared Oakes . 46. What ever Schemes of Blood , fantastick frames Of Death Mezentius , or Geryon drew ; Phalaris , Ochus , Ezelinus , names Mighty in mischiefe , with dread Nero too , Here are they all , Here all the swords or flames Assyrian Tyrants , or Egyptian knew . Such was the House , so furnisht was the Hall , Whence the fourth Fury , answer'd Pluto's call . 47. Scarce to this Monster could the shady King , The horrid summe of his intentions tell ; But shee ( swift as the momentary wing Of lightning , or the words he spoke ) left Hell. Shee rose , and with her to our world did bring , Pale proofe of her fell presence , Th' aire too well With a chang'd countenance witnest the sight , And poore fowles intercepted in their flight . 48. Heav'n saw her rise , and saw Hell in the sight . The field 's faire Eyes saw her , and saw no more , But shut their flowry lids for ever Night , And Winter strow her way ; yea , such a sore Is shee to Nature , that a generall fright , An universall palsie spreading o're The face of things , from her dire eyes had run , Had not her thick Snakes hid them from the Sun. 49. Now had the Night's companion from her den , Where all the busie day shee close doth ly , With her soft wing wipt from the browes of men Day 's sweat , and by a gentle Tyranny , And sweet oppression , kindly cheating them Of all their cares , tam'd the rebellious eye Of sorrow , with a soft and downy hand , Sealing all brests in a Lethaean band . 50. When the Erinnys her black pineons spread , And came to Bethlem , where the cruell King Had now retyr'd himselfe , and borrowed His Brest a while from care 's unquiet sting . Such as at Thebes dire feast shee shew'd her head , Her sulphur-breathed Torches brandishing , Such to the frighted Palace now shee comes , And with soft feet searches the silent roomes . 51 By Herod — now was borne The Scepter , which of old great David swaid . Whose right by David's image so long worne , Himselfe a stranger to , his owne had made . And from the head of Iudahs house quite torne The Crowne , for which upon their necks he laid . A sad yoake , under which they sigh'd in vaine , And looking on their lost state sigh'd againe . 52 Vp , through the spatious Pallace passed she , To where the Kings proudly-reposed head ( If any can be soft to Tyranny And selfe-tormenting sin ) had a soft bed . She thinkes not fit such he her face should see , As it is seene by Hell ; and seene with dread . To change her faces stile she doth devise , And in a pale Ghost's shape to spare his Eyes . 53 Her selfe a while she layes a side , and makes Ready to personate a mortall part . Ioseph the Kings dead Brothers shape she takes , What he by Nature was , is she by Art. She comes toth ' King and with her cold hand slakes His Spirits , the Sparkes of Life , and chills his heart , Lifes forge ; fain'd is her voice , and false too , be she said Her words , sleep'st thou fond man ? sleep'st thou ? 54 So sleeps a Pilot , whose poore Barke is prest With many a mercylesse o're mastring wave ; For whom ( as dead ) the wrathfull winds contest , Which of them deep'st shall digge her watry Grave . Why dost thou let thy brave soule lye supprest , In Death-like slumbers ; while thy dangers crave A waking eye and hand ? looke up and see The fates ripe , in their great conspiracy . 55 Know'st thou not how of th' Hebrewes royall stemme ( That old dry stocke ) a despair'd branch is sprung A most strange Babe ! who here conceal'd by them In a neglected stable lies , among Beasts and base straw : Already is the streame Quite turn'd th' ingratefull Rebells this their young Master ( with voyce free as the Trumpe of Fame ) Their new King , and thy Successour proclaime 56 What busy motions , what wild Engines stand On tiptoe in their giddy Braynes ? th' have fire Already in their Bosomes ; and their hand Al●eady reaches at a sword : They hire Poysons to speed thee ; yet through all the Land What one comes to reveale what they conspire ? Goe now , make much of these ; wage still their wars And bring home on thy Brest more thanklesse scarrs ▪ 57. Why did I spend my life , and spill my Blood , That thy firme hand for ever might sustaine A well-pois'd Scepter ? does it now seeme good Thy Brothers blood be-spilt like spent in vaine ? 'Gainst thy owne sons and Brothers thou hast stood In Armes , when lesser cause was to complaine : And now crosse Fates a watch about thee keepe , Can'st thou be carelesse now ? now can'st thou sleep ? 58. Where art thou man ? what cowardly mistake Of thy great selfe , hath stolne King Herod from thee ? O call thy selfe home to thy selfe , wake , wake , And fence the hanging sword Heav'n throws upon thee . Redeeme a worthy wrath , rouse thee , and shake Thy selfe into a shape that may become thee . Be Herod , and thou shalt not misse from mee Immortall stings to thy great thoughts , and thee . 59. So said , her richest , which to her wrist For a beseeming bracelet shee had ty'd ( A speciall Worme it was as ever kist The foamy lips of Cerberus ) shee apply'd To the Kings Heart , the Snake no sooner hist , But vertue heard it , and away shee hy'd , Dire flames diffuse themselves through every veine , This done , Home to her Hell shee hy'd amaine . 60. Hee wakes , and with him ( ne're to sleepe ) new feares : His Sweat-bedewed Bed had now betrai'd him , To a vast field of thornes , ten thousand Speares All pointed in his heart seem'd to invade him : So mighty were th' amazing Characters With which his feeling Dreame had thus dismay'd him , Hee his owne fancy-framed foes defies : In rage , My armes , give me my armes , hee cryes . 61. As when a Pile of food-preparing fire , The breath of artificiall lungs embraves , The Caldron-prison'd waters streight conspire , And beat the hot Brasse with rebellious waves : He murmures , and rebukes their bold desire ; Th' impatient liquor , frets , and foames , and raves ; Till his o'reflowing pride suppresse the flame , Whence all his high spirits , and hot courage came . 62. So boyles the fired Herods blood-swolne brest , Not to be slakt but by a Sea of blood . His faithlesse Crowne he feeles loose on his Crest , Which on false Tyrants head ne're firmly stood . The worme of jealous envy and unrest , To which his gnaw'd heart is the growing food Makes him impatient of the lingring light . Hate the sweet peace of all-composing Night . 63. A Thousand Prophecies that talke strange things , Had sowne of old these doubts in his deepe brest . And now of late came tributary Kings , Bringing him nothing but new feares from th' East , More deepe suspicions , and more deadly stings . With which his feav'rous cares their cold increast . And now his dream ( Hels firebrand ) stil more bright , Shew'd him his feares , and kill'd him with the sight . 64. No sooner therefore shall the Morning see ( Night hangs yet heavy on the lids of Day ) But all his Counsellours must summon'd bee , To meet their troubled Lord : without delay Heralds and Messengers immediately Are sent about , who poasting every way To th' heads and Officers of every band ; Declare who sends , and what is his command . 65. Why art thou troubled Herod ? what vaine feare Thy blood-revolving Brest to rage doth move ? Heavens King , who doffs himselfe weake flesh to weare , Comes not to rule in wrath , but serve in love . Nor would he this thy fear'd Crown from thee Teare , But give thee a better with himselfe above . Poore jealousie ! why should he wish to prey Vpon thy Crowne , who gives his owne away ? 66 Make to thy reason man ; and mocke thy doubts , Looke how below thy feares their causes are ; Thou art a Souldier Herod ; send thy Scouts See how hee 's furnish't for so fear'd a warre . What armour does he weare ? A few thin clouts . His Trumpets ? tender cryes , his men to dare So much ? rude Shepheards . What his steeds ? alas Poore Beasts ! a slow Oxe , and a simple Asse . Il fine del libro primo . On a prayer booke sent to Mrs. M. R. LOe here a little volume , but large booke , ( Feare it not , sweet , It is not hipocrit ) Much larger in it selfe then in its looke . It is in one rich handfull , heaven and all Heavens royall Hoasts incampt , thus small ; To prove that true schooles use to tell , A thousand Angells in one point can dwell . It is loves great Artillery , Which here contracts it selfe and comes to lye Close coucht in your white bosome , and from thence As from a snowy fortresse of defence Against the ghostly foe to take your part : And fortifie the hold of your chast heart . It is the Armory of light , Let constant use but keep it bright , You l find it yeelds To holy hand , and humble hearts , More swords and sheilds Then sinne hath snares , or hell hath darts . Onely bee sure , The hands bee pure , That hold these weapons and the eyes Those of turtles , chast , and true , Wakefull , and wise Here is a friend shall fight for you , Hold but this booke before your heart , Let prayer alone to play his part . But o' , the heart That studyes this high art , Must bee a sure house keeper , And yet no sleeper . Deare soule bee strong , Mercy will come ere long , And bring her bosome full of blessings , Flowers of never fading graces ; To make immortall dressings . For worthy souls whose wise embraces Store up themselves for him , who is alone The spouse of Virgins , and the Virgins son . But if the noble Bridegrome when hee comes Shall find the wandring heart from home , Leaving her chast abode , To gad abroad : Amongst the gay mates of the god of flyes To take her pleasures , and to play And keep the divells holy day . To dance in the Sunneshine of some smiling but beguiling . Spheare of sweet , and sugred lies , Some slippery paire , Of false perhaps as faire Flattering but forswearing eyes Doubtles some other heart Will git the start , And stepping in before , Will take possession of the sacred store Of hidden sweets , and holy joyes , Words which are not heard with eares , ( These tumultous shops of noise ) Effeactuall whispers whose st●●l voyce , The soule it selfe more feeles then heares . Amorous Languishments , Luminous trances , Sights which are not seen with eyes , Spirituall and soule peircing glances . Whose pure and subtle lightning , ●lies Home to the heart , and setts the house on fire ; And melts it downe in sweet desire : Yet doth not stay To aske the windowes leave , to passe that way . Delicious deaths , soft exhalations Of soule deare , and divine annihilations . A thousand unknowne rites Of joyes , and rarifyed delights . An hundred thousand loves and graces , And many a misticke thing , Which the divine embraces Of the deare spowse of spirits with them will bring . For which it is no shame , That dull mortality must not know a name . Of all this hidden store Of blessing , and ten thousand more ; If when hee come Hee find the heart from home , Doubtles hee will unload Himselfe some other where , And powre abroad His precious sweets , On the faire soule whom first hee meets . O faire ! ô fortunate ! ô rich ! ô deare ! O happy and thrice happy shee Deare silver breasted dove Who ere shee bee , Whose early Love With winged vowes , Makes haste to meet her morning spowse : And close with his immortall kisses . Happy soule who never misses , To improve that precious houre : And every day , Seize her sweet prey ; All fresh and fragrant as hee rises , Dropping with a balmy showre A delicious dew of spices . O let that happy soule hold fast Her heavenly armefull , shee shall tast At once , ten thousand paradises Shee shall have power , To rifle and deflower , The rich and ros●all spring of those rare sweets , Which with a swelling bosome there shee meets , Boundlesse and infinite — — bottomlesse treasures , Of pure inebriating pleasures , Happy soule shee shall discover , What joy , what blisse , How many heavens at once it is , To have a God become her lover . On Mr. G. Herberts booke intituled the Temple of Sacred Poem , sent to a Gentlewoman . KNow you faire , on what you looke ; Divinest love lyes in this booke : Expecting fire from your eyes , To kindle this his sacrifice . When your hands unty these strings , Thinke you have an Angell by th' wings . One that gladly will bee nigh , To wait upon each morning figh . To flutter in the balmy aire , Of your well prefumed prayer . These white plumes of his heele lend you , Which every day to heaven will send you : To take acquaintance of the spheare , And all the smooth faced kindred there . And though Herberts name doe owe These devotions , fairest ; know That while I lay them on the shrine Of your white hand , they are mine . In memory of the Vertuous and Learned Lady Madre de Teresa that sought an early Martyrdome . LOve thou art absolute , sole Lord Of life and death — To prove the word , Wee need to goe to none of all Those thy old souldiers , stout and tall Ripe and full , growne , that could reach downe , With strong armes their triumphant crowne : Such as could with lusty breath , Speake lowd unto the face of death Their great Lords glorious name , to none Of those whose large breasts built a throne For love their Lord , glorious and great , Wee ll see him take a private seat , And make his mansion in the milde And milky soule of a soft childe . Scarce had shee learnt to lisp a name Of Martyr , yet shee thinkes it shame Life should so long play with that breath , Which spent can buy so brave a death . Shee never undertooke to know , What death with love should have to doe . Nor hath shee ere yet understood . Why to show love shee should shed blood , Yet though shee cannot tell you why , Shee can love and shee can dye . Scarce had shee blood enough , to make A guilty sword blush for her sake ; Yet has shee a heart dares hope to prove , How much lesse strong is death then love . Bee love but there , let poore sixe yeares , Bee posed with the maturest feares Man trembles at , wee straight shall find Love knowes no nonage , nor the mind . T is love , not yeares , or Limbes , that can Make the martyr or the man. Love toucht her heart , and loe it beats High , and burnes with such brave heats : Such thirst to dye , as dare drinke up , A thousand coled deaths in one cup. Good reason for shee breaths all fire , Her weake breast heaves with strong desire , Of what shee may with fruitlesse wishes Seeke for , amongst her mothers kisses . Since t is not to bee had at home , Shee l travell to a martyrdome . No home for her confesses shee , But where shee may A martyr bee . Shee l to the Moores , and trade with them , For this unvalued Diadem , Shee offers them her dearest breath , With Christs name ●nt , in change for death . Shee l bargain with them , and will give Them God , and teach them how to live In him , or if they this denye , For him shee l teach them how to dye . So shall shee leave amongst them sowne , Her Lords blood , or at lest her owne . Farewell then all the world , adeiu , Teresa is no more for you : Farewell all pleasures , sports and joyes , Never till now esteemed toyes . Farewell what ever deare may bee , Mothers armes , or fathers knee . Farewell house , and farwell home : Shee s for the Moores and Martyrdome . Sweet not so fast , Loe thy faire spouse , Whom thou seek'st with so swift vowes Calls thee back , and bi●s thee como , T' embrace a milder Martyrdome . Blest powers forbid thy tender life , Should bleed upon a barbarous knife . Or some base hand have power to race , Thy Breasts chast cabinet ; and uncase A soule kept there so sweet . O no , Wise heaven will never have it so . Thou art Loves victim , and must dye A death more misticall and high . Into Loves hand thou shalt let fall , A still surviving funerall . His is the dart must make the death Whose stroake shall taste thy hallowed breath ▪ A dart thrice dipt in that rich Hame , Which writes thy spowses radiant name ▪ Vpon the roofe of heaven where ay It shines , and with a soveraigne ray , Beats bright upon the burning faces Of soules , which in that names sweet graces , Find everlasting smiles . So rare , So spirituall , pure and faire , Must be the immortall instrument , Vpon whose choice point shall be spent , A life so loved , and that there bee Fit executioners for thee . The fairest , and the first borne Loves of fire , Blest Seraphims shall leave their quire , And turne Loves souldiers upon thee , To exercise their Archerie . O how oft shalt thou complaine Of a sweet and subtile paine ? Of intollerable joyes ? Of a death in which who dyes Loves his death , and dyes againe , And would for ever so be slaine ! And lives and dyes , and knowes not why To live , but that he still may dy . How kindly will thy gentle heart , Kisse the sweetly — killing dart : And close in his embraces keep , Those delicious wounds that weep Balsome , to heale themselves with — — thus When these thy deaths so numerous , Shall all at last dye into one , And melt thy soules sweet mansion : Like a soft lumpe of Incense , hasted By too hot a fire , and wasted , Into perfuming cloudes . So fast Shalt thou exhale to heaven at last , In a disolving sigh , and then O what ! aske not the tongues of men , Angells cannot tell , suffice , Thy selfe that feel thine owne full joyes . And hold them fast for ever there , So soone as thou shalt first appeare . The moone of maiden starres ; thy white Mistresse attended by such bright Soules as thy shining selfe , shall come , And in her first rankes make thee roome . Where mongst her snowy family , Immortall wellcomes wait on thee . O what delight when shee shall stand , And teach thy Lipps heaven , w●th her hand , On which thou now maist to thy wishes , Heap up thy consecrated kisses . What joy shall seize thy soule when shee Bending her blessed eyes , on thee Those second smiles of heaven shall dart , Her mild rayes , through thy melting heart : Ange●ls thy old friends there shall greet thee , Glad at their owne home now to meet thee . All thy good workes which went before , And waited for thee at the doore : Shall owne thee there : and all in one Weave a Constellation Of Crownes , with which the King thy spouse , Shall build up thy triumphant browes . All thy old woes shall now smile on thee , And thy pains set bright upon thee . All thy sorrows here shall shine , And thy sufferings bee devine . Teares shall take comfort , and turne Gems . And wrongs repent to diadems . Even thy deaths shall live , and new Drosse the soule , which late they slew . Thy wounds shall blush to such bright scarres , As keep account of the Lambes warres Those rare workes , where thou shalt leave witt , Loves noble history , with witt Taught thee by none but him , while here They feed our soules , shall cloath thine there . Each heavenly word , by whose hid flame Our hard hearts shall strike fire , the same Shall flourish on thy browes ; and bee Both fire to us , and flame to thee : Whose light shall live bright , in thy face By glory , in our hearts by grace . Thou shalt looke round about , and see Thousand of crownd soules , throng to bee Themselves thy crowne , sonnes of thy nowes : The Virgin births with which thy spowse Made fruitfull thy faire soule ; Goe now And with them all about thee , bow To him , put on ( heel say ) put on My Rosy Love , that thy rich Zone , Sparkeling with the sacred Hames , Of thousand soules whose happy names , Heaven keeps upon thy score thy bright Life , brought them first to kisse the light . That kindled them to starres , and so Thou with the Lambe thy Lord shall goe . And where so e're hee sitts his white Steps , walke with him those wayes of Light. Which who in death would live to see , Must learne in life to dye like thee . An Apologie for the precedent Hymne . THus have I back againe to thy bright name Faire sea of holy fires transfused the flame I tooke from reading thee 't is to thy wrong I know that in my weak and worthlesse song Thou here art set to shine , where thy full day Scarce dawnes , ô pardon , if I dare to say Thine own deare books are guilty , for from thence I learnt to know that Love is eloquence That heavenly maxim gave me heart to try If what to other tongues is tun'd so high . Thy praise might not speak English too , forbid ( by all thy mysteries that there lye hid ; ) Forbid it mighty Love , let no fond hate Of names and words so farre prejudicate Soules are not Spaniards too , one frendly flood Of Baptisme , blends them all into one blood . Christs Faith makes but one body of all soules , And loves that bodies soule ; no Law controules Our free trafick for heaven we may maintaine , Peace sure with piety , though it dwell in Spaine . What soule soever in any Language can Speake heaven like hers , is my soules country-man . O 't is not Spanish , but 't is heaven she speakes , 'T is heaven that lies in ambush there , and breakes From thence into the wondring readers breast , Who finds his warme heart , hatcht into a nest Of little Eagles , and young Loves , whose high Flights scorne the lazie dust , and things that dye . There are enow whose draughts as deep as hell Drinke up all Spaine in Sack , let my soule swell With thee strong wine of Love , let others swimme In puddles , we will pledge this Seraphim Bowles full of richer blood then blush of grape Was ever guilty of , change wee our shape , My soule , some drinke from men to beasts ; ô then , Drinke wee till we prove more , not lesse then men : And turne not beasts , but Angels . Let the King , Mee ever into these his Cellars bring ; Where flowes such Wine as we can have of none But him , who trod the Wine-presse all alone : Wine of youths Life , and the sweet deaths of Love , Wine of immortall mixture , which can prove Its tincture from the Rosie Nectar , wine That can exalt weak earth , and so refine Our dust , that in one draught , Mortality May drinke it selfe up , and forget to dy . On a Treatise of Charity . RIse then , immortall maid ! Religion rise ! Put on thy selfe in thine own looks : t' our eyes Be what thy beauties , not our blots , have made thee , Such as ( e're our dark sinnes to dust betray'd thee ) Heav'n set thee down new drest ; when thy bright birth Shot thee like lightning , to th'astonisht earth . From th' dawn of thy faire eye-lids wipe away Dull mists and melancholy clouds : take day And thine owne beames about thee : bring the best Of whatsoe're perfum'd thy Eastern west . Girt all thy glories to thee : then sit down , Open this booke , faire Queen , and take thy crown . These learned leaves shall vindicate to thee Thy holyest , humblest , handmaid Charitie . Sh'l dresse thee like thy selfe , set thee on high Where thou shalt reach all hearts , command each eye ▪ Lo where I see thy offrings wake , and rise From the pale dust of that strange sacrifice Which they themselves were ; each one putting on A majestie that may beseem thy throne . The holy youth of heav'n , whose golden rings Girt round thy awfull Altars , with bright wings Fanning thy faire locks ( which the world beleeves As much as sees ) shall with these sacred leaves Trick their tall plumes , and in that garb shall go If not more glorious , more conspicuous tho . — Be it enacted then By the faire lawes of thy firm-pointed pen , Gods services no longer shall put on A sluttishnesse , for pure religion : No longer shall our Churches frighted stones Lie scatter'd like the burnt and martyr'd bones Of dead Devotion ; nor faint marbles weep In their sad ruines ; nor Religion keep A melancholy mansion in those cold Vrns. Like Gods Sanctuaries they lookt of old : Now seem they Temples consecrate to none , Or to a new God Desolation . No more the hypocrite shall th' upright be Because he 's stiffe , and will confesse no knee : While others bend their knee , no more shalt thou ( Disdainfull dust and ashes ) bend thy brow ; Nor on Gods Altar cast two scorching eyes Bak't in hot scorn , for a burnt sacrifice : But ( for a Lambe ) thy tame and tender heart New struck by love , still trembling on his dart ; Or ( for two Turtle doves ) it shall suffice To bring a paire of meek and humble eyes . This shall from hence-forth be the masculine theme Pulpits and pennes shall sweat in ; to ●edeem Vertue to action , that life-feeding flame That keeps Religion warme : not swell a name Of faith , a mountaine word , made up of aire , With those deare spoiles that wont to dresse the faire And fruitfull Charities full breasts ( of old ) Turning her out to tremble in the cold . What can the poore hope from us , when we be Vncharitable ev'n to Charitie . In Picturam Reverendissimi Episcopi , D. Andrews . HAec charta monstrat , Fama quem monstrat magis , Sed & ipsa nec dum fama quem monstrat satis , Ille , ille totam solus implevit Tubani , Tot ora solus domuit & famam quoque Fecit modestam : ment is igneae pater Agilique radio Lucis aelernae vigil , Per alta rerum pondera indomito Vagus Cucurrit Animo , quippe naturam ferox Exhausit ipsam mille Foelus Artibus , Et mille Linguis ipse se ingentes procul Variavit omnes fuitque toti simul Cognatus orbi : sic sacrum & solidum jubar Saturumque coelo pectus ad patrios Libens Porrexit ignes : hac eum ( Lector ) vides Haec ( ecce ) charta O Vtinam & audires quoque On the Assumption . HArke shee is called , the parting houre is come , Take thy farewel poore world , heaven must go home . A peece of heavenly Light purer and brighter Then the chast stars , whose choice Lamps come to light her . While through the christall orbs clearer then they Shee climbes , and makes a farre more milky way ; Shee 's call'd againe , harke how th' immortall Dove Sighs to his silver mate : rise up my Love , Rise up my faire , my spotlesse one , The Winter 's past , the raine is gone : The Spring is come , the Flowers appeare , No sweets since thou art wanting here . Come away my Love , Come away my Dove cast off delay : The Court of Heav'n is come , To wait upon thee home ; Come away , come away . Shee 's call'd againe , and will shee goe ; When heaven bids come , who can say no ? Heav'n calls her , and she must away , Heaven will not , and she cannot stay . Goe then , goe ( glorious ) on the golden wings Of the bright youth of Heaven , that sings Vnder so sweet a burden : goe , Since thy great Sonne will have it so : And while thou goest , our song and wee , Will as wee may reach after thee . Haile holy Queen of humble hearts , Wee in thy praise will have our parts . And though thy dearest looks must now be light To none but the blest heavens , whose bright Beholders lost in sweet delight ; Feed for ever their faire sight With those divinest eyes , which wee And our darke world no more shall see . Though , our poore joyes are parted so , Yet shall our lips never let goe Thy gracious name , but to the last , Our Loving song shall hold it fast . Thy sacred Name shall bee Thy selfe to us , and wee With holy cares will keepe it by us , Wee to the last , Will hold it fast . And no Assumption shall deny us . All the sweetest showers , Of our fairest Flowers , Will wee strow upon it : Though our sweetnesse cannot make It sweeter , they may take Themselves new sweetnesse from it . Mary , men and Angels sing , Maria Mother of our King. Live rarest Princesse , and may the bright Crown of an incomparable Light Embrace thy radiant browes , ô may the best Of everlasting joyes bath thy white brest . Live our chaste love , the holy mirth Of heaven , and humble pride of Earth : Live Crowne of Women , Queen of men : Live Mistris of our Song , and when Our weak desires have done their best ; Sweet Angels come , and sing the rest . Epitaphium in Dominum Herrisium . SIste te paulum ( viator ) ubi Longum Sisti Nescese erit , huc nempe properare te scias quocunque properas . Morae praetium erit Et Lacrimae , Si jacere hic scias Gulielmum Splendidae Herrisiorum familiae Splendorem maximum : Quem cum talem vixisse intelexeris , Et vixisse tantum ; Discas licet In quantus spes possit Assurgere mortalitas , De quantis cadere . Quem Infantem , Essexia — vidit Quem Iuvenem , Cantabrigiae vidit Senem , ah infaelix utraque Quod non vidit . Qui Collegii Christi Alumnus , Aulae Pembrokianae socius , Vtrique , ingens amoris certamen fuit . Donec Dulciss . Lites elusit Deus , Eumque coelestis Collegii Cujus semper Alumnus fuit socium fecit ; Qui & ipse Collegium fuit , In quo Musae omnes & gratiae , Nullibi magis sorores , Sub praeside religione In tenacissimum sodalitium coaluere . Quem Oratoriae Agnovcre . Quem Poetica Agnovcre . Quem Vtraque Agnovcre . Quem Christianum Agnovcre . Quem Poetam Agnovcre . Quem Oratorem Agnovcre . Quem Philosophum Agnovcre . Quem Omnes Agnovcre . Qui Fide Superavit . Qui Spe Superavit . Qui Charitate Superavit . Qui Humilitate Superavit . Qui Mundum Superavit . Qui Coelum Superavit . Qui Proximum Superavit . Qui Seipsum Superavit . Cujus Sub verna fron●e-senilis animus , Sub morum facilitate , severitas virtutis ; Sub plurima indole , pauci anni ; Sub majore modestia , maxima indolesadeo se occuluerunt ut vitam ejus Pulchram dixeris & pudicam dissimulationem : Imo vero & mortem , Ecce enim in ipso funere Dissimulari se passus est , Sub tantillo mar more tantum hospitem , Eo nimirum majore monumento quo minore tumulo . Eo ipso die occubuit quo Ecclesia Anglicana ad vesperas legit , Raptus est ne malitia mutaret Intellectun ejus ; Scilicet Id Octobris , Anno S 1631. An Himne for the Circumcision day of our Lord. RIse thou first and fairest morning , Rosie with a double red : With thine owne blush thy cheekes adorning , And the deare drops this day were shed . All the purple pride of Laces , The crimson curtaines of thy bed ; Guild thee not with so sweet graces ; Nor sets thee in so rich a red . Of all the faire cheekt flowers that fill thee , None so faire thy bosome strowes ; As this modest Maiden Lilly , Our sinnes have sham'd into a Rose . Bid the golden god the Sunne , Burnisht in his glorious beames : Put all his red eyed rubies on , These Rubies shall put out his eyes . Let him make poore the purple East , Rob the rich store her Cabinets keep , The pure birth of each sparkling nest , That flaming in their faire bed sleep . Let him embrace his owne bright tresses , With a new morning made of gems ; And weare in them his wealthy dresses , Another day of Diadems . When he hath done all he may , To make himselfe rich in his rise , All will be darknesse , to the day That breakes from one of these faire eyes . And soone the sweet truth shall appeare , Deare Babe e're many dayes be done : The Moone shall come to meet thee here , And leave the long adored Sunne . Thy nobler beauty shall bereave him , Of all his Easterne Paramours : His Persian Lovers all shall leave him , And sweare faith to thy sweeter powers . Nor while they leave him shall they loose the Sunne , But in thy fairest eyes find two for one . On Hope , By way of Question and Answer , betweene A. Cowley , and R. Crashaw . Cowley . HOpe , whose weake being ruin'd is Alike , If it succeed , and if it misse . Whom Ill , and Good doth equally confound , And both the hornes of Fates dilemma wound . Vaine shadow ! that doth vanish quite Both at full noone , and perfect night . The Fates have not a possibility Of blessing thee . If things then from their ends wee happy call , 'T is hope is the most hopelesse thing of all . Crashaw . Deare Hope ! Earths dowry , and Heavens debt , The entity of things that are not yet . Subt'lest , but surest being ! Thou by whom Our Nothing hath a definition . Faire cloud of fi●e , both shade , and light , Our life in death , our day in night . Fates cannot find out a capacity Of hurting thee . From thee their thinne dilemma with blunt horne Shrinkes , like the sick Moone at the wholsome morne . Cowley . Hope , thou bold taster of delight , Who , in stead of doing so , devour'st it quite . Thou bring'st us an estate , yet leav'st us poore , By clogging it with Legacies before . The joyes , which wee intire should wed , Come deflour'd virgins to our bed . Good fortunes without gaine imported bee , So mighty Custome's paid to thee . For joy , like Wine kept close doth better taste : If it take ayre before , its spirits waste . Crashaw . Thou art Loves Legacie under lock Of Faith : the steward of our growing stocke . Our Crown-lands lye above , yet each meale brings A seemly portion for the Sons of Kings . Nor will the Virgin-joyes wee wed Come lesse unbroken to our bed , Because that from the bridall checke of Blisse , Thou thus steal'st downe a distant kisse , Hopes chaste kisse wrongs no more joyes maidenhead , Then Spousall rites prejudge the marriage-bed . Cowley . Hope , Fortunes cheating Lotterie , Where for one prize an hundred blankes there bee . Fond Archer Hope , who tak'st thine ayme so farre , That still , or short , or wide thine arrowes are . Thine empty cloud the eye , it selfe deceives With shapes that our owne fancie gives : A cloud , which gilt , and painted now appeares , But must drop presently in teares . When thy false beames o're Reasons light prevaile , By ignes fatus , not North starres we sayle . Crashaw . Faire Hope ! our earlier Heaven ! by thee Young Time is taster to Eternity . The generous wine with age growes stong , not sower ; Nor need wee kill thy fruit to smell thy flower . Thy golden head never hangs downe , Till in the lap of Loves full noone It falls , and dyes : oh no , it melts away As doth the dawne into the day : As lumpes of Sugar lose themselves , and twine Their subtile essence with the soule of Wine . Cowley . Brother of Feare ! more gaily clad The merrier Foole o' th' two , yet quite as mad . Sire of Repentance ! shield of fond desire , That blows the Chymicks , and the Lovers fire , Still leading them insensibly on , With the strange witchcraft of Anon. By thee the one doth changing Nature through Her endlesse Laborinths pursue , And th' other chases woman , while she goes More wayes , and turnes , then hunted Nature knowes . Crashaw . Fortune alas above the worlds law warres : Hope kicks the curl'd heads of conspiring starres . Her keele cuts not the waves , where our winds sture , And Fates whole Lottery is one blanke to her . Her shafts , and shee fly farre above , And forrage in the fields of light , and love . Sweet Hope ! kind cheat ! faire fallacy ! by thee Wee are not where , or what wee bee , But what , and where wee would bee : thus art thou Our absent presence , and our future now . Crashaw . Faith's Sister ! Nurse of faire desire● Feares Antidote ! a wise , and well stay'd fire Temper'd 'twixt cold despaire , and torrid joy : Queen Regent in young Loves minoritie . Though the vext Chymick vainly chases His fugitive gold through all her faces , And loves more fierce , more fruitlesse fires assay One face more fugitive then all they , True Hope 's a glorious Huntresse , and her chase The God of Nature in the field of Grace . THE DELIGHTS OF THE MUSES . OR , Other Poems written on severall occasions . By Richard Crashaw , sometimes of Pembroke Hall , and late Fellow of St. P●ters Colledge in Cambridge . Mart. Dic mihi quid melius desidiosus agas . LONDON , Printed by T. W. for H. Moseley , at the Princes Armes in S. Pauls Churchyard , 1646. Musicks Duell . NOw Westward Sol had spent the richest Beames Of Noons high Glory , when hard by the streams Of Tiber , on the sceane of a greene plat , Vnder protection of an Oake ; there sate A sweet Lutes-master : in whose gentle aires Hee lost the Dayes heat , and his owne hot cares . Close in the covert of the leaves there stood A Nightingale , come from the neighbouring wood : ( The sweet inhabitant of each glad Tree , Their Muse , their Syren . harmlesse Syren shee ) There stood she listning , and did entertaine The Musicks soft report : and mold the same In her owne murmures , that what ever mood His curious fingers lent , her voyce made good : The man perceiv'd his Rivall , and her Art , Dispos'd to give the light-foot Lady sport Awakes his Lute , and ●gainst the fight to come Informes it , in a sweet Praeludium Of closer straines , and ere the warre begin , Hee lightly skirmishes on every string Charg'd with a flying touch : and streightway shee Carves out her dainty voyce as readily , Into a thousand sweet distinguish'd Tones , And reckons up in soft divisions , Quicke volumes of wild Notes ; to let him know By that shrill taste , shee could doe something too . His nimble hands instinct then taught each string A capring cheerefullnesse ; and made them sing To their owne dance ; now negligently rash Hee throwes his Arme , and with a long drawne dash Blends all together ; then distinctly tripps From this to that ; then quicke returning skipps And snatches this againe , and pauses there . Shee measures every measure , every where Meets art with art ; sometimes as if in doubt Not perfect yet , and fearing to bee out Trayles her playne Ditty in one long-spun note , Through the sleeke passage of her open throat : A cleare unwrinckled song , then doth shee point it With tender accents , and severely joynt it By short diminutives , that being rear'd In controverting warbles evenly shar'd , With her sweet selfe shee wrangles ; Hee amazed That from so small a channell should be rais'd The torrent of a voyce , whose melody Could melt into such sweet variety Straines higher yet ; that tickled with rare art The tatling strings ( each breathing in his part ) Most kindly doe fall out ; the grumbling Base In surly groanes disdaines the Trebles Grace . The high-perch't treble chirps at this , and chides , Vntill his finger ( Moderatour ) hides And closes the sweet quarrell , rowsing all Hoarce , shrill , at once ; as when the Trumpets call Hot Mars to th' Harvest of Deaths field , and woo Mens hearts into their hands ; this lesson too Shee gives him backe ; her supple Brest thrills out Sharpe Aires , and staggers in a warbling doubt Of dallying sweetnesse , hovers ore her skill , And folds in wav'd notes with a trembling bill , The plyant Series of her slippery song . Then starts shee suddenly into a Throng Of short thicke sobs , whose thundring volleyes float , And roule themselves over her lubricke throat In panting murmurs , still'd out of her Breast That ever-bubling spring ; the sugred Nest Of her delicious soule , that there does lye Bathing in streames of liquid Melodie ; Musicks best seed-plot , when in ripend Aires A Golden-headed-Harvest fairely reares His Honey-dropping ●cops , plow'd by her breath Which there reciprocally laboureth . In that sweet soyle it seemes a holy quire Founded to th' Name of great Apollo's lyre , Whose sylver-roofe rings with the sprightly notes Of sweet-lipp'd Angell-Imps , that swill their throats In creame of Morning Helicon , and then Preferre soft Anthems to the Eares of men . To woo them from their Beds , still murmuring That men can sleepe while they their Matten● sing : ( Most divine service ) whose so early● lay , Prevents the Eye-lidds of the blushing day . There might you heare her kindle her soft voyce , In the close murmur of a sparkling noyse . And lay the ground-worke of her hopefull song , Still keeping in the forward streame , so long● Till a sweet whirle-wind ( striving to gett o●t ) Heaves her soft Bosome , wan●ers round about , And makes a pretty Earthquake in her Breast , Till the fledg'd Notes at length forsake their Nect ; Fluttering in wanton shoales , and to the Sky Wing'd with their owne wild Eccho's pra●ling fly . Shee opes the floodgate , and le ts loos● a Tide Of streaming sweetnesse , which in state doth rid● On the wav'd backe of every swelling straine , Rising and falling in a pompous tra●ne . And while shee thus discharges a shrill peale Of flashing Aires ; shee qualifi●s their zeale With the coole Epode of a grave Noat , Thus high , thus low , as if her silver throat Would reach the brasen voyce of warr's hoarce Bird ; Her little soule is ravisht : and so pour'd Into loose extasies , that shee is plac't Above her selfe , Musicks Enthusiast Shame now and anger mixt a double staine In the Musitians face ; yet once againe ( Mistresse ) I come ; now reach a straine my Lu●e Above her mocke , or bee for ever mute . Or tune a song of victory to mee , Or to thy selfe , sing thine owne Obsequie ; So said , his hands sprightly as fire hee ●lings , And with a quavering coynesse tasts the strings . The sweet-lip't sisters musically frighted , Singing their feares are fearfully delighted . Trembling as when Appollo's golden haires Are fan'd and frizled , in the wanton ayres Of his owne breath : which marryed to his lyre Doth tune the Spbaeares , and make Heavens selfe looke higher From this to that , from that to this hee flyes Feeles Musicks pulse in all her Arteryes , Caught in a net which the●e Appollo spreads , His fingers struggle with the vocall threads , Following those little rills , hee sinkes into A Sea of Helicon ; his hand does goe Those parts of sweetnesse which with Nectar drop , Softer then that which pants in Hebe's cup. The humourous strings expound his learned touch , By various Glosses ; now they seeme to grutch , And murmur in a buzzing dinne , then g●ngle In shrill tongu'd accents : striving to bee single● Every smooth turne , every delicious stroake Gives life to some new Grace ; thus doth h'invoke Sweetnesse by all her Names ; thus , bravely thus ( Fraught with a fury so harmonious ) The Lutes light Genius now does proudly rise , Heav'd on the surges of swolne Rapsodyes . Whose flourish ( Meteor-like ) doth curle the aire With flash of high-borne fancyes : here and there Dancing in lofty measures , and anon Creeps on the soft touch of a tender tone : Whose trembling murmurs melting in wild aires Runs to and fro , complaining his sweet cares Because those pretious mysteryes that dwell , In musick 's ravish't soule hee dare not tell , But whisper to the world : thus doe they vary Each string his Note , as if they meant to carry Their Masters blest soule ( snatcht out at his Eares By a strong Extasy ) through all the sphaeares Of Musicks heaven ; and seat it there on high In th' Empyraeum of pure Harmony . At length ( after so long , so loud a strife Of all the strings , still breathing the best life Of blest variety attending on His fingers fairest revolution In many a sweet rise , many as sweet a fall ) A full-mouth Diapason swallowes all . This done , hee lists what shee would say to this , And shee although her Breath's late exercise Had dealt too roughly with her tender throate , Yet summons all her sweet powers for a Noate Alas ! in vaine ! for while ( sweet soule ) shee tryes To measure all those wild diversities Of chatt'ring stringes , by the small size of one Poore simple voyce , rais'd in a Naturall Tone ; Shee failes , and failing grieves , and grieving dyes ▪ Shee dyes : and leaves her life the Victous prise , Falling upon his Lute ; ô fit to have ( That liv'd so sweetly ) dead , so sweet a Grave ! Principi recèns natae omen maternae indolis . CResce , ô dulcibus imputanda Divis , O cresce , & propera , puella a Princeps , In matris propera a venire partes . Et cùm par breve fulminum minorum , Illin● Carolus , & Iucobus indè , In patris faciles subire famam , Ducent fata furoribus decoris ; Cùm terror sacer , Anglicíque magnum Murmur nominis increpabit omnem Latè Bosperon , Ottomanicásque Non picto quatiet tremore Lunas ; Te tunc altera , nec timenda paci , Poscent praelia . Tu potens pudici Vibratrix ocuci , pios in hostes Laté dulcia fata dissipabis . O cùm flostenet ille , qui recenti Pressus sidere jam sub or a ludit , Olim fortior omne cuspidatos Evolvet latus aureum per ignes ; Quíque imbellis adhuc , adultus olim , Puris expatiabitur genarum Campis imperiosior Cupido ; O quàm certa superbiore pennâ Ibunt spicula , melleaeque mor●es , Exultantibus hinc & indè turmis , Quoquò jusseris , impigrè volabunt ! O quot corda calentium deorum De te vulnera delicata discent O quot pectora Principum magistris Fient molle negotium sagittis ! Nam quae non poteris per arma ferri , Cui matris sinus atque utrumque sidus Magnorum patet officina Amorum ? Hinc sumas licet , ô puella Princeps , Quantacunque opus est tibi pharetnâ . Centum sume Cupidines ab uno Matris lumine , Gratiásque ceutum , Et centum Veneres : adhuc manebunt Centum mille Cupidines ; manebunt Ter centum Venerésque Gratiaeque Puro fonte superstites per aevum . Out of Virgil , In the praise of the Spring . ALL Trees , all leavy Groves confesse the Spring Their gentlest friend , then , then the lands begin To swell with forward pride , and seed desire To generation ; Heavens Almighty Sire Melts on the Bosome of his Love , and powres Himselfe into her lap in fruitfull showers . And by a soft insinuation , mixt With earths la●ge Masse , doth cherish and assist Her weake conceptions ; No loane shade , but rings With chatting Birds , delicious murmurings . Then Venus mild instinct ( at set times ) yeilds The Herds to kindly meetings , then the fields ( Quick with warme Zephires lively breath ) lay forth Their pregnant Bosomes in a fragrant Birth . Each body 's plump and jucy , all things full Of supple moisture : no coy twig but will Trust his beloved bosome to the Sun ( Growne lusty now ; ) No Vine so weake and young That feares the foule-mouth'd Auster , or those stormes That the Southwest-wind hurries in his Armes , But hasts her forward Blossomes , and layes out Freely layes out her leaves : Nor doe I doubt But when the world first out of Chaos sprang So smil'd the Dayes , and so the tenor ran Of their felicity . A spring was there , An everlasting spring , the jolly yeare Led round in his great circle ; No winds Breath As then did smell of Winter , or of Death . When Lifes sweet Light first shone on Beasts , and when From their hard Mother Earth , sprang hardy men , When Beasts tooke up their lodging in the Wood , Starres in their higher Chambers : never cou'd The tender growth of things endure the sence Of such a change , but that the Heav'ns Indulgence Kindly supplies sick Nature , and doth mold A sweetly temper'd meane , nor hot nor cold . With a Picture sent to a Friend . I Paint so ill , my peece had need to bee Painted againe by some good Poesie . I write so ill , my slender Line is scarce So much as th'Picture of a well-lim'd verse : Yet may the love I send be true , though I Send nor true Picture , nor true Poesie . Both which away , I should not need to feare , My Love , or Feign'd or painted should appeare . In praise of Lessius his rule of health . GOe now with some dareing drugg , Baite thy disease , and while they tugg Thou to maintaine their cruell strife , Spend the deare treasure of thy life : Goe take phisicke , doat upon Some bigg-named composition , The oraculous doctors mistick bills , Certain hard words made into pills ; And what at length shalt get by these ? Onely a costlyer disease . Goe poore man thinke what shall bee , Remedie against thy remedie . That which makes us have no need Of Phisick that 's Phisick indeed . Harke hether , Reader , wouldst thou see Nature her owne Physitian bee . Wouldst see a man all , his owne wealth , His owne Physick , his owne health ? A man whose sober soule can tell , How to weare her garments well ? Her garments that upon her sit , As garments should doe close and fit ? A well cloathed soule that 's not opprest , Nor choakt with what shee should bee drest ? A soule shearhed in a christall shrine , Through which all her bright features shine ? As when a peece of wanton lawne , A thinne aiereall vaile is drawne O're beauties face , seeming to hide More sweetly showes the blush'ng bride . A soule whose intelectuall beames No mistes doe maske no lazy steames ? A happy soule that all the way , To heaven , hath a summers day ? Would'st thou see a man whose well warmed blood , Bathes him in a genuine flood ? A man whose tuned humours bee , A set of rarest harmony ? Wouldst see blith lookes , fresh cheeks beguile Age , wouldst see December smile ? Wouldst see a nest of Roses grow In a bed of reverend snow ? Warme thoughts free spirits , flattering Winters selfe into a spring ? In summe , wouldst see a man that can Live to bee old and still a man ? The beginning of Helidorus . THe smiling Morne had newly wak't the Day , And tipt the Mountaines in a tender ray : When on a hill ( whose high Imperious brow Lookes downe , and sees the humble Nile below Licke his proud feet , and hast into the seas Through the great mouth that 's nam'd from Hercules ) A band of men , rough as the Armes thy wore Look't round , first to the sea , then to the shore . The shore that shewed them what the sea deny'd , Hope of a prey . There to the maine land ty'd A ship they saw , no men shee had ; yet prest Appear'd with other lading , for her brest Deep in the groaning waters wallowed Vp to the third Ring ; o're the shore was spread Death's purple triumph , on the blushing ground Lifes late forsaken houses all lay drown'd In their owne bloods deare deluge some new dead , Some panting in their yet warme ruines bled : While their affrighted soules , now wing'd for flight Lent them the last flash of her glimmering light . Those yet fresh streames which crawled every where Shew'd , that sterne warre had newly bath'd him there : Nor did the face of this disaster show Markes of a fight alone , but feasting too , A miserable and a monstrous feast , Where hungry warre had made himself a Guest : And comming late had eat up Guests and all , Who prov'd the feast to their owne funerall , &c. Out of the Greeke Cupid's Cryer . LOve is lost , nor can his Mother Her little fugitive discover : Shee seekes , shee sighs , but no where spyes him ; Love is lost ; and thus shee cryes him . O yes ! if any happy eye , This roaving wanton shall descry : Let the finder surely know Mine is the wagge ; T is I that owe The winged wand'rer , and that none May thinke his labour vainely gone , The glad descryer shall not misse , To tast the Nectar of a kisse From Venus lipps . But as for him That brings him to mee , hee shall swim In riper joyes : more shall bee his ( Venus assures him ) then a kisse ; But least your eye discerning slide These markes may bee your judgements guide His skin as with a fiery blushing High-colour'd is ; His eyes still flushing With nimble flames , and though his mind Be ne're so curst , his Tongue is kind : For never were his words in ought Found the pure issue of his thought . The working Bees soft melting Gold , That which their waxen Mines enfold , Flow not so sweet as doe the Tones Of his tun'd accents ; but if once His anger kindle , presently It boyles out into cruelty , And fraud : Hee makes poore mortalls hurts The objects of his cruell sports . With dainty curles his froward face Is crown'd about ; But ô what place , What farthest nooke of lowest Hell Feeles not the strength , the reaching spell Of his small hand ? Yet not so small As 't is powerfull therewithall . Though bare his skin , his mind hee covers , And like a saucy Bird he hovers With wanton wing , now here , now there , 'Bout men and women , nor will spare Till at length he perching rest , In the closet of their brest . His weapon is a little Bow , Yet such a one as ( Iove knowes how ) Ne're suffred , yet his little Arrow , Of Heavens high'st Arches to fall narrow . The Gold that on his Quiver smiles , Deceives mens feares with flattering wiles . But ô ( too well my wounds can tell ) With bitter shafts 't is sauc't too well . Hee is all cruell , cruell all ; His Torch Imperious though but small Makes the Sunne ( of flames the fire ) Worse then Sun-burnt in his fire . Wheresoe're you chance to find him Cease him , bring him , ( but first bind him ) Pitty not him , but feare thy selfe Though thou see the crafty Else , Tell down his Silver-drops unto thee , They 'r counterfeit , and will undoe thee . With baited smiles if he display His ●awning cheeks , looke not that way If hee offer sugred kisses , Start , and say , The Serpent hisses . Draw him , drag him , though hee pray Wooe , intreat , and crying say Prethee , sweet now let me goe , Here 's my Quiver Shafts and Bow , I 'le give thee all , take all , take heed Lest his kindnesse make thee bleed . What e're it be Love offers , still presume That though it shines , 't is fire and will consume . HIgh mounted on an Ant Nanus the tall Was throwne alas , and got a deadly fall Vnder th' unruly Beasts proud feet he lies All torne ; with much adoe yet ere he dyes , Hee straines thes● words ; Base Envy , doe , laugh on . Thus did I fall , and thus fell Phaethon . Vpon Venus putting on Mars his Armes . WHat ? Mars his sword ? faire Cytherea say , Why art thou arm'd so desperately to day ? Mars thou hast beaten naked , and ô then What need'st thou put on armes against poore men ? Vpon the same . PAllas saw Venus arm'd , and streight she cry'd , Come if thou dar'st , thus , thus let us be try'd . Why foole ! saies Venus , thus provok'st thou mee , That being nak't , thou know'st could conquer thee ? In Senerissimae Reginae partum hyemalem . SErta , puer : ( quis nunc flores non praebeat hortus ? ) ●exe mihi facili pollice serta , puer . Quid tu nescio quos narras mihi , stulte , Decembres ? Quid mihi cum nivibus ? damihi serta , puer . Nix ? & byems ? non est nostras quid tale per oras ; Non est : vel si sit , non tamen esse potest . Ver agitur : quaecunque trucem dat larva Decembrem , Quid fera cunque fremant frigora , ver agitur . Nónne vides quali se palmite regia vitis Prodit , & in sacris quae sedet uvajugis ? Tam laetis quae bruma solet ridere racemis ? Quas hyemis pingit purpura tanta genas ? O Maria ! O divûm soboles , genitrixque Deorum ! Siccine nostra tuus tempora ludus erunt ? Siccine tu cum vere tuo nihil horrida brumae Sydera , nil madidos sola morare notos ? Siccine sub medi● poterunt tua surgere brum● , Atque suas solùm lilia nosse nives ? Ergò vel invitis nivibus , frendentibus Austris , Nostra novis poterunt regna tumere rosis ? O bona turbatrix anni , quae limite noto Tempora sub signis non sinis ire suis O pia praedatrix hyemis , quae tristia mundi Murmura tam dulci sub ditione tenes ! Perge precor nostris vim pulchram ferre Calendis : Perge precor menses sic numerare tuos . Perge intempestiva utque importuna videri ; Inque uteri titulos sic rape cuncta tui . Sit nobis sit saepe hyemes sic cernere nostras Exhaeredatas floribus ire tuis . Saepe sit has vernas hyemes Maiosque Decembres , Has per te roseas saepe videre nives . Altera gens varium per sydera computet annum , Atque suos ducant per ●aga signa dies . Nos deceat nimiis tantum permittere nimbis ? Tempora tam tetricas ferre Britanna vices ? Quin nosirum tibi nos omnem donabimus annum : In partus omnem expende , Maria , tuos . Sit tuus ille uterus nostri bonus arbiter anni : Tempus & in titulos transeat omne tuos . Namquae alia indueret tam dulcia nomina mensis ? Aut qua tam posset candidus ire toga ? Hanc laurum Ianus sibi vertice vellet utroque , Hanc sibi vel tota Chloride Majus emet . Tota suam ( vere expulso ) respublica florum Reginam cuperent te , sobolemve tuam . O bona sors anni , cum cuncti ex ordine menses Hic mihi Carolides , hic Marianus erit ! Vpon Bishop Andrewes his Picture before his Sermons . THis reverend shadow cast that setting Sun , Whose glorious course through our Horrizon run , Left the dimme face of this dull Hemisphaeare , All one great eye , all drown'd in one great Teare . Whose faire illustrious soule , led his free thought Through Learnings Vniverse , and ( vainely ) sought Roome for her spatious selfe , untill at length Shee found the way home , with an holy strength Snathc't her self hence , to Heaven : fill'd a bright place , Mongst those immortall fires , and on the face Of her great maker fixt her flaming eye , There still to read true pure divinity . And now that grave aspect hath deign'd to shrinke Into this lesse appearance ; If you thinke , T is but a dead face , art doth here bequeath : Looke on the following leaves , and see him breath . Ad Reginam . ET verò jam tempus erat tibi , maxima Mater , Dulcibus his oculis accelerare diem : Tempus erat , ne qua tibi basia blanda vacarent ; Sarcina ne collo sit minùs apta tuo . Scilicet ille tuus , timor & spes ille suorum , Quo primumes felix pignore facta parens , Ille ferox iras jam nunc meditatur & enses ; Iam patris magis est , jam magis ille suus . Indolis O stimulos ! Vix dum illi transiit infans ; Iamque sibi impatiens arripit ille virum . Improbus ille suis adeò negat ire sub annis : Iam nondum puer est , major & est puero , Si quis in aulaeis pictas animatus in iras Stat leo , quem docta cuspide lusit acus , Hostis ( io ! ) est ; neque enim ille alium dignabitur hostem ; Nempe decet tantus non minor ira manus . Tunc hasta gravis adversum furit ; hasta bacillum est : Mox falsum vero vulnere pectus hiat . Stat leo , ceu stupeat tali bene fixus ab hoste ; Ceu quid in his oculis vel timeat vel amet , Tam torvum , tam dulce micane : nescire ●atetur Márs ne sub his oculis esset , an esset Amor. Quippe illîc Mars est . sed qui bene possit amari ; Est & Amor certe , sed metuendus Amor : Talis Amor , talis Mars est ibi cernere ; qualis Seu puer hic esset , sive vir ille deus . Hic tibi jam scitus succedit in oscula fratris , Res ( ecce ! ) in lusus non operosa tuos . Basia jam veniant tua quatacunque caterva ; Iam quocunque tuus murmure ludat amor . En ! Tibi materies tenera & tractabilis hic est : Hic ad blanditias est tibi cera satis . Salve infans , tot basiolis , molle argumentum , Maternis labiis dulce negotiolum , O salve ! Nam te nato , puer aur●e , natus Et Carolo & Mariae Tertius est oculus . Out of Martiall . FOure Teeth thou had'st that ranck'd in goodly state Kept thy Mouthes Gate . The first blast of thy cough left two alone , The second , none . This last cough Aelia , cought out all thy feare , Th' hast left the third cough now no businesse here . Out of the Italian . A Song . To thy Lover Deere , discover That sweet blush of thine that shameth ( When those Roses It discloses ) All the flowers that Nature nameth . In free Ayre , Flow thy Haire ; That no more Summers best dresses , Bee beholden For their Golden Lockes , to Phoebus flaming Tresses . O deliver Love his Quiver , From thy Eyes he shoots his Arrowes , Where Apollo Cannot follow : Featherd with his Mothers Sparrowes . O envy not ( That we dye not ) Those deere lips whose doore encloses All the Graces In their places , Brother Pearles , and sister Roses . From these treasures Of ripe pleasures One bright smile to cle●re the weather . Earth and Heaven Thus made even , Both will he good friends together . The aire does wooe thee ; Winds cling to thee , Might a word once flye from out thee ▪ Storme and Thunder Would sit under , And keepe silence round about Thee . But if Natures Common Creatures , So deare Glories dare not borrow : Yet thy Beauty Owes a Duty , To my loving , lingring sorrow . When to end mee Death shall send mee All his Terrors to affright mee : Thine eyes Graces , Guild their faces , And those Terrors shall delight mee ▪ When my dying Life is flying ; Those sweet Aires that often slew mee ; Shall revive mee , Or reprive mee , And to many Deaths renew mee . Out of the Italian . LOve now no fire hath left him , We two betwixt us have divided it . Your Eyes the Light hath r●st him . The heat commanding in my Heart doth sit , O! that poore Love be not for ever spoyled , Let my Heat to your Light be reconciled . So shall these flames , whose worth Now all obscured lyes ( Drest in those Beames ) start forth And dance before your eyes . Or else partake my flames ( I care not whither ) And so in mutuall Names Of Love , burne both together . Out of the Italian . WOuld any one the true cause find How Love came nak't , a Boy , and blind ? 'T is this ; listning one day too long , To th' Syrens in my Mistresse Song , The extasie of a delight So much o're-mastring all his might , To that one Sense , made all else thrall , And so he lost his Clothes , eyes , heart and all . In faciem Augustiff . Regis à morbillis integram . MVsaredt ; vocat alma parens Academia : Noster Enredit , ore suo noster Apollo redit . Vultus adhuc suus , & vultu sua purpura tantum Vivit , & admixtas pergit amare nives . Tune illas violare genas ? tune illa profanis , Morbe ferox , tantas ire per or a notis ? Tu Phoebi faciem tentas , vanissime ? Nostra Nee Phoebe maculas novit habere suas . Ipsa sui vindex facies morbum indignatur ; Ipsa sedet radiis ô bene tuta suis : Quippe illic deus est , coelûmque & sanctius astrum ; Quippe sub his totus ridet Apollo genis . Quòd facie Rex tutus erat , quòd caetera tactus : Hinc hominem Rex est fassus , & inde deum . On the Frontispiece of Isaacsons Chronologie explained . IF with dictinctive Eye , and Mind , you looke Vpon the Front , you see more then one Booke ▪ Creation is Gods Booke , wherein he writ Each Creature , as a Letter filling it . History is Creations Booke ; which showes To what effects the Series of it goes . Chronologie's the Booke of Historie , and beares The just account of Dayes , Moneths , and Yeares ▪ But Resurrection , in a Later Presse , And New Edition , is the summe of these . The Language of these Bookes had all been one , Had not th' Aspiring Tower of Babylon Confus'd the Tongues , and in a distance hurl'd As farre the speech , as men , o th' new fill'd world . Set then your eyes in method , and behold Times embleme , Saturne ; who , when store of Gold Coyn'd the first age , Devour'd that Birth , he fear'd ; Till History , Times eldest Child appear'd ; And Phoenix-like , in spight of Saturnes rage , Forc'd from her Ashes , Heyres in every age . From th' rising Sunne , obtaining by just Suit , A Springs Ingender , and an Autumnes Fruit. Who in those Volumes at her motion pen'd , Vnto Creations Alpha doth extend . Againe ascend , and view Chronology , By Optick Skill pulling farre History Neerer ; whose Hand the piercing Eagles Eye Strengthens , to bring remotest Objects nigh . Vnder whose Feet , you see the Setting Sunne , From the darke Gnomon , o're her Volumes runne , Drown'd in eternall Night , never to rise ; Till Resurrection , show it to the eyes Of Earth-worne men ; and her shrill Trumpets sound Affright the Bones of Mortals from the ground . The Columnes both are crown'd with either Sphere , To show Chronology and History beare , No other Culmen ; then the double Art , Astronomy , Geography , impart . Or Thus. LEt hoary Time's vast Bowels be the Grave To what his Bowels birth and being gave ; Let Nature die , ( Phoenix-like ) from death Revived Nature take a second breath ; If on Times right hand , s●t fai●e Historie ; If , from the seed of empty Ruine , she Can raise so faire an Harvest : Let Her be Ne're so farre distant , yet Chronologie ( Sharpe sighted as the Eagles eye , that can Out-stare the broad-beam'd Dayes Meridian ) Will have a Perspicill to find her out , And , through the Night of error and dark doubt ▪ Discerne the Dawne of Truth 's eternall ray , As when the rosie Morne budds into Day . Now that Time's Empire might be amply fill'd ▪ Babels bold Artists strive ( below ) to build Ruine a Temple ; on whose fruitfull fall History reares her Pyramids more tall Then were th' Aegyptian ( by the life , the●e give , Th' Egyptian Pyramids themselves must live : ) On these she lifts the World ; and on their base Shewes the two termes and limits of Time's race : That , the Creation is ; the Iudgement , this ; That , the World's Morning , this her Midnight is . An Epitaph Vpon Mr. Ashton a conformable Citizen . THe modest front of this small floore Beleeve mee , Reader can say more Then many a braver Marble can , Here lyes a truly honest man. One whose Conscience was a thing , That troubled neither Church nor King. One of those few that in this Towne , Honour all Preachers ; heare their owne . Sermons he heard , yet not so many As left no time to practise any . Hee heard them reverendly , and then His practice preach'd them o're agen . His Parlour-Sermons rather were . Those to the Eye , then to the Eare. His prayers tooke their price and strength Not from the lowdnesse , nor the length . Hee was a Protestant at home , Not onely in despight of Rome . Hee lov'd his Father ; yet his zeale Tore not off his Mothers veile . To th' Church hee did allow her Dresse , True Beauty , to true Holinesse . Peace , which hee lov'd in Life , did lend Her hand to bring him to his end ; When Age and Death call'd for the score , No surfets were to reckon for . Death tore not ( therefore ) but sans strife Gently untwin'd his thread of Life . What remaines then , but that Thou Write these lines , Reader , in thy Brow , And by his faire Examples light , Burne in thy Imitation bright . So while these Lines can but bequeath A Life perhaps unto his Death . His better Epitaph shall bee , His Life still kept alive in Thee . Rex Redux . I Lle redit , redit . Hoc populi bona murmura vol●unt ; Publicus hoc ( audin ' ? ) plausus ad astra refert : Hoc omn● sedet in vultu commune serenum ; Omnibus hinc una est laetitiae facies . Rex noster , lux nostra redit ; redeuntis ad ora Aridet totis Anglia laeta genis : Quisque suos oculos oculis accendit ab istis ; Atque novum sacro sumit ab ore diem . Forte roges tanto quae digna pericula plausu Evadat Carolus , quae mala , quósve metus ; Anne perrerati male fida volumina ponti Ausa illum terris pene negare suis : Hospitis an nimii rurcus sibi conscia , tellus Vix bene speratum reddat Ibera caput . Nil horum ; nec enim male fida volumina ponti Aut sacrum tellus vidi● Ibera caput . Verus amor tamen haec sibi falsa pericula fingit : ( Falsa peric'la solet fingere verus amor ) At Carolo qui falsa timet , nec vera timeret : ( Vera peric'la solet temnere verus amor ) Illi falsa timens , sibi vera pericula temnens , Non solum est fidus , sed quoque fortis amor . Interea nostri satis ille est causa triumphi : Et satis ( ah ! ) nostri causa doloris erat . Causa doloris erat Carolus , sospes licet esset ; Anglia quod saltem discere posset , Abest . Et satis est nostri Carolus nunc causa triumphi ; Dicere quod saltem possumus , Ille redit . Out of Catullus , COme and let us live my Deare , Let us love and never feare , What the sowrest Fathers say : Brightest Sol that dyes to day Lives againe as blith to morrow , But if we darke sons of sorrow Set ; ô then , how long a Night Shuts the Eyes of our short light ! Then let amorous kisses dwell On our lips , begin and tell A Thousand , and a Hundred score An Hundred , and a Thousand more , Till another Thousand smother That , and that wipe of another . Thus at last when we have numbred Many a Thousand , many a Hundred ; Wee 'l confound the reckoning quite , And lose our selves in wild delight : While our joyes so multiply , As shall mocke the envious eye , Ad Principem nondum natum . NAscere nunc ; ô nunc ! quid enim , puer alme , moraris ? Nulla tibi dederit dulcior hora diem . Ergone tot tardos ( ô lente ! ) morabere menses ? Rex redit . Ipse veni , & dic bone , Gratus ades . Nam quid Ave nostrum ? quid nostri verba triumphi ? Vagitu melius dixeris ista tuo . At maneas tamen : & nobis nova causa triumphi Sic demum fueris ; nec nova causa tamen : Nam , quoties Carolo novus aut nova nascitur infans , Revera toties Carolus ipse redit . Wishes . To his ( supposed ) Mistresse . WHo ere shee bee , That not impossible shee , That shall command my heart and mee ; Where ere shee lye , Lock't up from mortall Eye , In shady leaves of Destiny : Till that ripe Birth Of studied fate stand forth , And teach her faire steps to our Earth ; Till that Divine Idaea , take a shrine Of Chrystall flesh , through which to shine : Meet you her my wishes , Be speake her to my blisses , And bee yee call'd my absent kisses . I wish her Beauty , That owes not all his Duty To gaudy Tire , or glistring shoo-ty . Something more than Taffata or Tissew can , Or rampant feather , or rich fan . More then the spoyle Of shop , or silkewormes Toyle Or a bought blush , or a set smile . A face that 's best By its owne beauty drest , And can alone command the rest . A face made up Out of no other shop , Then what natures white hand sets ope . A cheeke where Youth , And Blood , with Pen of Truth Write , what the Reader sweetly ru'th . A Cheeke where growes More then a Morning Rose : Which to no Boxe his being owes ▪ Lipps , where all Day A lovers kisse may play , Yet carry nothing thence away . Lookes that oppresse Their richest Tires but dresse And cloath their simplest Nakednesse . Eyes , that displaces The Neighbour Diamond , and out faces That Sunshine by their owne sweet Graces . Tresses , that weare Iewells , but to declare How much themselves more pretious are . Whose native Ray , Can tame the wanton Day Of Gems , that in their bright shades play . Each Ruby there , Or Pearle that dare appeare , Bee its owne blush , bee its owne Tea●e . A well tam'd Heart , For whose more noble smart , Love may bee long chusing a Dart. Eyes , that bestow Full quivers on loves Bow ; Yet pay lesse Arrowes then they owe. Smiles , that can warme The blood , yet teach a charme , That Chastity shall take no harme ▪ Blushes , that bin The burnish of no sin , Nor flames of ought too hot within . Ioyes , that confesse , Vertue their Mistresse , And have no other head to dresse . Feares , fond and flight , As the coy Brides , when Night First does that longing lover right . Teares , quickly fled , And vaine , as those are shed For a dying Maydenhead . Dayes , that need borrow , No part of their good Morrow , From a ●ore spent night of sorrow . Dayes , that in spight Of Darkenesse , by the Light Of a cleere mind are Day all Night . Nights , sweet as they , Made short by lovers play , Yet long by th' absence of the Day . Life , that dares send , A challenge to his end , And when it comes say Welcome Friend . Sydnaean showers Of sweet discourse , whose powers Can Crowne old Winters head with flowers , Soft silken Hours , Open sunnes ; shady Bowers , Bove all ; Nothing within that lowers . What ere Delight Can make Dayes forehead bright , Or give Downe to the Wings of Night . In her whole frame , Have Nature all the Name , Art and ornament the shame . Her flattery , Picture and Poesy , Her counsell her owne vertue bee . I wish , her store Of worth , may leave her poore Of wishes ; And I wish — No more . Now if Time knowes That her whose radiant Browes , Weave them a Garland of my vowes ; Her whose just Bayes , My future hopes can raise , A trophie to her present praise ; Her that dares bee , What these Lines wish to see : I seeke no further , it is shee . 'T is shee , and heere Lo I uncloath and cleare , My wishes cloudy Character . May shee enjoy it , Whose merit dare apply it , But Modesty dares still deny it . Such worth as this is . Shall fixe my flying wishes , And determine them to kisses . Let her full Glory , My fancyes , fly before yee , Bee ye my fictions ; But her story . Imprimatur Na : Brent . FINIS . THE TABLE . THe Weeper . Page 1 The Teare . 6 Divine Epigrams begin at page the 8 On the Water of our Lords Baptisme 8 Act. 8. on the Baptized Aethiopian 8 On the Miracle of multiplyed Loaves 8 Vpon the Sepulchre of our Lord 8 The Widows Mights 9 Luke 15. on the Prodigall 9 On the still surviving markes of our Saviours wounds 9 Acts 5. the sick implore St. Peters shadow 9 Mark 7. the Dumbe healed , and the people enjoyned silence 10 Mat. 28. Come see the place where the Lord lay 10 To Pontius washing his hands 10 To the Infant Martyrs 10 On the Miracle of Loaves 11 Mark. 4. Why are ye afraid , O ye , of little faith 11 On the blessed Virgins bashfulnesse 12 Vpon Lazarus his Teares 12 Two men went up into the Temple to pray 12 Vpon the Asses that bore our Saviour 12 Mathew 8. I am not worthy that thou shouldest come under my roofe . 13 Vpon the Powder day 13 I am the doore 13 Math. 10. The blind cured by the word of our Saviour 14 Math. 27. And he answered nothing , 14 To our Lord upon the water made wine 14 Mathew 22. Neither durst any man from that day aske him any more questions 15 Vpon our Saviours Tombe wherein never man was laid 16 It is better to goe to heaven with one eye , &c. 16 Luke 11. Vpon the dumb divell cast out , and the slanderous Iewes put to silence 16 Luke 10. And a certaine Priest comming that way looked on him and passed by 16 Luke 11. Blessed be the paps which thou hast sucked 17 To Pontius washing his blood-stained hands 17 Math. 23. To build the Sepulchres of the Prophets 17 Vpon the Infant Martyrs 18 Ioh. 16. Verily I say unto you , yee shall weepe and lament 18 Ioh. 15. Vpon our Lords last comfortable discourse with his Disciples 18 Luk. 16. Dives asking a drop . 18 Mark. 12. Give to Caesar , and to God 19 But now they have seen and hated 19 Vpon the Thornes taken down from our Lords head , bloody 19 Luke 7. Shee began to wash his feet with teares , and wipe them with the haires of her head 20 On St. Peter cutting off Malchus his eare 20 Iohn 3. But men loved darknesse rathet then light 20 Act. 21. I am ready not onely to be bound , but to dye 20 On St. Peter casting away his nets at our Saviours call 20 Our Lord in his Circumcision to his Father 21 On the wounds of our crucified Lord 21 On our crucified Lord naked and bloody 22 Easter day 22 On the bleeding wounds of our crucified Lord 23 Sampson to his Dalilah 24 Psalme 23. 25 Psalme 137. 27 A Himne on the Nativity sung by the Shephcards 28 Vpon the death of a Gentleman 31 Vpon the death of Mr. Herrys 32 Another upon the death of the most desired Master Herrys 33 Another 36 His Epitaph 38 An Epitaph upon Husband and Wife which dyed , and were buried together 39 An Epitaph upon Doctor Brooke 40 Vpon Master Stannoughs death 40 Vpon the Duke of York his birth . A Panegyrick 41 Vpon Fords two Tragedyes , Loves Sacrifice , and the broken heart 45 On a foule morning being then to take a Iourney 45 Vpon the faire Aethiopian sent to a Gentlewoman 46 On Marriage 47 To the morning Satisfaction for sleep 47 Loves Horoscope 49 Sospetto d'Herode Libro primo 51 On a Prayer booke sent to Mrs M. R. 74 On Master George Herberts booke intituled the temple of Sacred poems sent to a Gentlewoman 78 In memory of the Vertuous and Learned Lady Madre de Teresa , that sought an early Martyrdome 79 An Apologie for the precedent Himne 85 On a Treatise of Charity 86 In Picturam Reverendissimi Episcopi Dr. Andrewes 89 On the Assumption 90 Epitaphium in Dominum Herrissium 92 An Himne for the circumcision day of our Lord 94 On Hope , by way of Question an Answer , between A. Cowley and R. Crasnaw . 96 MVsicks Duell 103 Principi recens natae omen maternae Indolis 108 Out of Virgil in the praise of the Spring 110 With a Picture sent to a friend 111 In praise of Lessius his rule of health 112 The beginning of Heliodorus 114 Out of the Greeke , Cupids Cryer 115 On Nanus mounted upon an Ant 117 Vpon Venus putting on Mars his Armes 117 Vpon the same 017 In Senerissimae Regine partum Hyemalem 118 Vpon Bishop Andrewes his Picture before his Sermons 120 Ad Reginam 121 Out of Martiall 122 Out of the Italian . A Song 123 Out of the Italian 125 Out of the Italian 126 In faciem Augustiss . Regis à morbillis integram 127 On the Frontispice of Isaacsons Chronologie explained 128 Or thus 129 An Epitaph upon Master Ashton a conformable Citizen 130 Rex Redux 131 Out of Catullus 132 Ad Principem nondum natum 133 Wishes to his ( supposed ) Mistresse 134 FINIS . 
A74677	----	Eugenius Theodidactus. The prophetical trumpeter sounding an allarum to England illustrating the fate of Great Britain, past, present, and to come. Such wonderful things to happen these seven yeers following, as have not been heard of heretofore. A celestial vision. VVith a description of heaven and heavenly things, motives to pacifie Gods threatned wrath: of a bloody, fiery way of the day of judgment, and of saints and angels. / Sung in a most heavenly hymn, to the great comfort of all good Christians, by the Muses most unworthy, John Heydon, gent. philomat. Heydon, John, b. 1629. This text is an enriched version of the TCP digital transcription A74677 of text R208414 in the English Short Title Catalog (Thomason E1671_3). Textual changes and metadata enrichments aim at making the text more computationally tractable, easier to read, and suitable for network-based collaborative curation by amateur and professional end users from many walks of life. The text has been tokenized and linguistically annotated with MorphAdorner. The annotation includes standard spellings that support the display of a text in a standardized format that preserves archaic forms ('loveth', 'seekest'). Textual changes aim at restoring the text the author or stationer meant to publish. This text has not been fully proofread Approx. 298 KB of XML-encoded text transcribed from 85 1-bit group-IV TIFF page images. EarlyPrint Project Evanston,IL, Notre Dame, IN, St. Louis, MO 2017 A74677 Thomason E1671_3 ESTC R208414 99867369 99867369 119677 This keyboarded and encoded edition of the work described above is co-owned by the institutions providing financial support to the Early English Books Online Text Creation Partnership. This Phase I text is available for reuse, according to the terms of Creative Commons 0 1.0 Universal . The text can be copied, modified, distributed and performed, even for commercial purposes, all without asking permission. Early English books online. (EEBO-TCP ; phase 1, no. A74677) Transcribed from: (Early English Books Online ; image set 119677) Images scanned from microfilm: (Thomason Tracts ; 209:E1671[3]) Eugenius Theodidactus. The prophetical trumpeter sounding an allarum to England illustrating the fate of Great Britain, past, present, and to come. Such wonderful things to happen these seven yeers following, as have not been heard of heretofore. A celestial vision. VVith a description of heaven and heavenly things, motives to pacifie Gods threatned wrath: of a bloody, fiery way of the day of judgment, and of saints and angels. / Sung in a most heavenly hymn, to the great comfort of all good Christians, by the Muses most unworthy, John Heydon, gent. philomat. Heydon, John, b. 1629. [8], 135 [i.e. 155], [1] p. Printed by T. Lock for the author, and are to be sold by Thomas Blackmore, at the angel in Pauls Church-yard, London, : 1655. In verse. Page 155 misnumbered 135. Annotation on Thomason copy: "June 29". Reproduction of the original in the British Library. eng Apocalyptic literature -- Early works to 1800. Religious poetry, English -- Early modern, 1500-1700. A74677 R208414 (Thomason E1671_3). civilwar no Eugenius Theodidactus.: The prophetical trumpeter sounding an allarum to England illustrating the fate of Great Britain, past, present, and Heydon, John 1655 49058 140 15 0 0 0 0 32 C The rate of 32 defects per 10,000 words puts this text in the C category of texts with between 10 and 35 defects per 10,000 words. 2008-09 TCP Assigned for keying and markup 2008-10 SPi Global Keyed and coded from ProQuest page images 2008-12 John Pas Sampled and proofread 2008-12 John Pas Text and markup reviewed and edited 2009-02 pfs Batch review (QC) and XML conversion Eugenius Theodidactus , THE PROPHETICAL TRUMPETER Sounding An Allarum to ENGLAND Illustrating The fate of Great Britain , past , present , and to come . Such wonderful things to happen these seven yeers following , as have not been heard of heretofore . A Celestial Vision . VVith a Description of Heaven and heavenly things , Motives to pacifie Gods threatned wrath : Of a bloody , fiery way of the day of Judgment , and of Saints and Angels . Sung in a most heavenly Hymn , to the great comfort of all good Christians , by the MVSES most unworthy , JOHN HEYDON , Gent. Philomat . {non-Roman} {non-Roman} {non-Roman} {non-Roman} {non-Roman} . Possibile est Satyras non Scribere . LONDON , Printed by T. Lock for the Author , and are to be sold by Thomas Blackmore , at the angel in Pauls Church-yard , 1655. To the truly vertuous and tride learning , beholding no Mountain for Eminence , not supportment for height , Mr. William Lilly O give me leave to pul the Curta●n by That clouds , thy Worth in such Obscurity , Good Seneca stay but a while thy Bleeding To accept what I received at thy reading , Here I present it in a solemn strain , And thus I pluckt the Curtain back again . the same Iohn Heydon . Hom. Ill. a. {non-Roman} {non-Roman} {non-Roman} {non-Roman} {non-Roman} {non-Roman} {non-Roman} {non-Roman} {non-Roman} {non-Roman} . I am gravis ille mihi nig●i quam ●mini ditis , Ore aliud qui seri , aliud sub poctare colat . As vale of death , so do I hate that kind , Whose tongue from thought , whose mouth dissents from minde . The same , I. H. To Capt. Iohn Heydon . VVHat Ornament might I devise to sit The aspiring height of thy admired Spirit , Or , what faire Garland worthy is to sit On thy blest brows that compass in all merit ? Thou shalt not crowned be with cammon Bayse , Because for thee it is a Crown too low ; Apolloes tree can yeild the simple praise , It is too dull a Vesture for thy brow , But with a wreath of Starres shalt thou be crown'd , VVhich when thy working temples do sustain , VVillike the Spheares be ever moving round After the Royal Musick of the Brain . Thy skill doth equall Phoebus , not thy Birth , He to Heaven gives Musick , thou to Earth , I. C. Esq To the Author , Mr. Iohn Heydon . FAin would I speak , but yet my tongue-●ide Muse In Rivers thirst ; and when she hath most use Of speech , is strucken dumb ; she 's plentious poore , And knew she less to say , she could say more : She doth enjoy , and yet she cannot find Beginning too much brightness hath struck her blind . I could admire thee Iohn , and though in truth The downy characters of thy blooming youth Scarce write the man , yet if we measure yeares By Vertue , thou a heroicall Spirit wilt appear , For when most men do fil their greedy Maws VVith Comick laughter , and the sweaty plause Of vulger Palmes , others write wounding Lines , And wil accuse , though they be worse , the times Thou steer'st another course , and spend'st thy oyle In sacred objects , and in holy toyle , No sinfull Eloquence thy verse defames , No lustfull sports nor Cupidinean flamess , Thy Poesie doth neither frown nor smile , There 's no satyrick , nor Venerious stile ; And must these works be hid , and car'st thou less To give them to the Moths , then to the Press , Free them from Darkness , Iohn , that they may be A torch to others , and a Crown to thee , For ere they shall obscured lye undone Like Raphael , I le usher in Heydon . M. B. Esq To the Right Honourable in his Countrey ; Righr Servicible in Ireland ; Right Able of Himselfe ; his Excellency , the LORD HENRY CROMVVEL-DEPUTY of IRELAND . I Se the Storm a comming , whether shall I Seek Covert in the Mountain , or the Valley ? Or , else be take me to the silent stream , And let the tempest burst and split his splean Vpon the Earth ; so I be safe and saven , VVhile I shall ride at anchor in the Haven ; Alas , the fatall Sister-hood ( in sport VVill there betray thee ; for within the Port , Shipwrack hath disappointed and disgrac't , The Proverb of long look't for comes at last ; Then wil I launch into the very Mayne To see if Neptunes Diety wil dayne To fence and fling his Trident on my Head , By pewer whereof all storms are scattered ; VVhich if he do deny , my comfort it shall be , My shipwrack great , Noble men shalt see I sink not in a dicch , nor by the shore , But dye , and lye at Neptunes Palace D●re : T is thou alone that bearst the Triple Mace , Canst in the very speed of all their Chase Restrain their pursuit , do but protect it , The simple Misterious Nereides of the Prophet , Charge Aeolus ( as he does honour thee , He do not dis-imbulk his Cheeks at me , I have done nothing to offend thy traine , Stole Amemone as the Poets fayne , Nor sought to spoyle the Sea-gods bed of Corall ; I mean , Heavens Mysteries ; for that 's the Morall , If this be so , vouchsafe me thy Protection , That I may bring this work unto perfection ; Then will I sing thy fortune and thy fame , And prove that CROMVVELS from the Trojans came ; Shew where his Ancestors long since did build A seat which hitherto their name have fill'd : Now may that name and honour nere expire , But in a melting Firmament of fire . From Cliffords-Inne , the 10. of May , 1655. So Prayeth your Lord-ships most humble Servant JOHN HEYDON . To the Reader . REader ; these Lines which must pass thorow the pikes and swords of censure , are not written to pleasure every man , then I should displease my selfe and my friend ; I write only to give my friends that I promised , call me not one of our now Priest , now Prophet , and then Lawyer , I le assure you I never fancied a Pulpet , never could boast of Entheusiasmes , nor never could attain to such perfection in the Law , although it hath been the most of my study , and now my profession , viz. the practise of an Attorney in the Vpper-Bench ; if you would know who I am , I was born in this sumptious , City , in Green-Arbour London , I lived sometime in Warwick-shire very obscurely , it was my fortune to travel into other Countreys , first with a Merchant , as Factor , he dyed , afterwards I was forced to exercise my self in Martial disciplines in Spain , and Turkey , under the Command of Sede-Malamet Booker Knine Alcad at the Siege of Sally , I made my escape , was taken again , yet escaped to Mamorah , then I went to Zant , from thence carrled to S●vel , and then to the Spaw , and when I came to England I followed the Law , and gave a very ignorant fellow five and thirty pounds to instruct me in that honourable profession he like a duns took my money , and left me as ignorant as when I came to him ; it was my good hap to meet with an honest man , and by his instructions I came to be what I am , Reader , I have taken in vacation to publish what may at all times be advantagious to you . A well-wisher to all honest men is , J. Heydon The Preface . YOu wanton Lads that spend your winged time , And chant your ears in reading lustful Rime , Who like transformed Acteon range about And beat the Woods to find Diana out ; Is 't this you 'ld have ? then hence here 's no content For you ; my Muse nere knew what Venus meant : But stay , I may subvert your rude conceit , And every Verse may prove a heavenly bait ; O that ye were such Captives ! then be Thrice happy : such as these are only free . Leave , leave your wanton toyes , and let alone Apollo sporting at his Helicon : Let Vulcan deale with Venus , what 's to thee ? Although she dandle Cupid● on her Knee , Be not inchanted with her wanton charms , Let her not hug thee in her whorish arms : But wisely do ( as N●ptune did ) in spight Of all , spew out the Lady Aphrodite . Come , come , fond lad , what wouldst thou behold A visage that wil make thy V●nus cold , If this be all , He g●ve thy eye delight , Come see that face that lends the sun his Light : A Cae●e i●ll glorious sight I did espie , No earthly object for thy wandring eye , I saw a face that made the Heavens to shine , Oh seek that glorious face that lends thee thine , Looke and behold that light , which if thou see Aright , wil make the earth a heaven to thee ; Come see that glistring face from which arise Such glorious beams that dazels angels eyes : VVhat canst have more ? but dost thou think that such A comely visage wil not let thee touch ; Or dost thou think a Sun that shines so clear wil scorn to let a lesser Orb come neare , No thou mistakest ; say , dost thou truly thirst For him , I dare avouch he lov'd the first , Be not dismaid , it needs no more dispute , Come give that glorious face a kind salute . THE Propheticall TRUMPETER Sounding an Allarum to Britaine . I Do not wonder , as I erst have done , That when the Prophet Ionas should have gone , To Nineveh , Gods word He disobey'd , And would Himselfe to Tharsus have convey'd : For , I have now a sense how flesh and blood The motions of the Holy Ghost withstood , And feel ( me thinks ) how many a likely doubt The Devil and his frailty found him out . He was a man , ( though he a Prophet were ) In whom no little weakness did appear : And , thus he thought , perchance , VVhat shall I d● A strange attempt my heart is urged too : And , there is somwhat , earnestly incites That I should hasten to the Ninivites , And , preach , that if they alter not their wayes , Their time of standing is but forty dayes . My soul perswadeth God enjoyus me to it : And sleep in peace I cannot til I do it : But common Reason striveth to restrain This Motion , and perswadeth me 't is vain . It saith ; I am a sinner , and so fraile , That many times my best endeavours faile To rectifie my selfe . How shall I then Be hopeful of reclaiming other men ? To Israel I have threatned many years Gods judgements : yet , no fruit thereof appears Although they have some knowledge of the Lord , And are within his League , they slight his word : VVhat hope then is there , that a heathen Nation VVill prove regardfull of my exhortation ? The stile of Prophet , in this land I carry ; And such a Calling , here , is ordinary But , in a forraigne State , what warranty Have I , to publish such a Prophesie ? How may the King and people take the same , I shall in the open streets defame So great a City ? and condemn for sin , A place wherein I never yet have bin . If I shall , the Lord commanded me , Then , they perhaps will answer , What is he ? For , they profess him not . Nay , some suspition They may conceive , that I to move sedition Amsent among them . Or , if otherwise They shall suppose , how can they but dispise My , person , and my counsel , who shall from So farre a place , so meere a stranger come , That no man knows , or what , or who I am , Or , from what countrey , or , from whom I came ? Such thought ( belike ) delay'd and foar'd him so ; And , so the Spirit urg'd him to go For Niniveh ; that not to go , nor stay , Could he resolve ; but , fled another way . From which rebellious course , God fetcheth him back VVith such a vegeance , that he did not lack Sufficient proofes , how Reason did betray him , And in his calling , causlesly affray him , Yea ( mark heav'ns providence ) though Ionas went Another way , it crost not Gods intent , But furthered it . For , doubtless , e're he came To Nineveh , the miracle and fame Of his Deliverance , was sent before ; And , made his preaching work on them the more . Now , though I do not arrogate , nor dare My selfe ( except in frailttes ) to compare With blessed Ionas : yet I may behold To say , our causes a resemblance hold . My heart , and when that moves , as one avers , It more prevails than many Counsellers . My heart ( I say ) perswaded me e're while , To read a warning Lecture to this I le . And in such manner moved , that to say It came from God , me thinks , behold I may Yet , my own nat'rall frailty , and the world , Among my thoughts so many doubtings hurld , That every step had rubs . I levell'd some In my last Canto . Yet , I could not come To even ground , till I had overtopt Some other Mountains which my passage stopt . Beware , said Reason , how thou undertake This hazardous adventure , which to make Thou hast resolv'd : for this wise age denies That God vouchsafed any Prophesies Concerning them ; or , that the application Of ought foretold , pertaineth to this Nation , She saith , my constancy is no true signe That God first moved this intent of mine ; Since Hereticks , and Traytors , oft are seen As bold in all their causes to have been As Martyrs be . And , that for what they do , They can pretend the holy Spirit too : And she perswades t is likely I shall pass ( At best ) for one that much deluded was . She sayes , moreover , that if these times be Indeed , so wicked , as they seem to me ; I shall in stead of moving to repent , Nought else but stir their fury , and be rent Perhaps in pieces , by their hasty rage , For , what 's more likely in a wicked age ? When people in their sins grow hardned once , She sayes I may as wel go talk to ●ones , As tell them ought . For , they are in the dark ; And , what they see and hear , they do not mark . She urged that the Prophets in old times Did speak in vain against the peoples crimes ; And if in them their words begat no faith , Much less will such as mine , my reason saith . She tells me also that this I le hath store Of Prophets and of Preachers never more : She sayes , that though their calling none neglect , Their pains appear to take but small effect : And , if such men authorised as they , Do cast their words , without success , away ; In vain my Muse ( whose warrant most contemn ) Doth seek to work more piety in them . A thousand things unto the life effect ; Yea , all and more than any can object , ( Who shall peruse this Book ) my Reason brought before me , and objected to my thought , And , as a Pilgrim ( who occasions hath To take some extraordinary path ) Arrival making at a double way , Is doubtfull whether to proceed or stay : So fared I ; I was nigh tyred quite , Before I could be certain of the right . Yea , twixt my doubtings , and all those replies Which in my meditations did arise ; I so amazed grew , I could not know Which way thest befitted me to got But , at the last , God brought me thorow all My doubts and fears ; as though the Storm and Whale Once Ionas came : That so all they , who are Ordained for their good , these lynes to hear , The more may profit , when they think upon What streights I passed , e're this work was done , To that intent my frailties I have so Insisted on , as in this book I do . Yea , I am hopefull al●o , they that read These lines of mine ( and mark with how much head And Christian awfulness , my heart was won To censure and reprove as I have done ) Will plainly see , these Numbers flow not from Fantastick rashness ; not from envy come . Nor spring from faction ; neither were begot By their distracted zeale , who ( knowing not What Spirit guides them ) often are beguiled With shews of truth ; and madly have reviled Both good and ill : and whose unsavoury Rimes Defames mens persons more then check their crimes Dishonour Kings ; their sacred names blaspheme ; And having ga●n'd some notions in a dreame , Or by report ( of what they know not well ) Desire their giddy thoughts abroad to tell : In hope to merit ; as indeed they do , Sometime the pillory and gallows too . I trust , I say , these lines will seem no such , Or , if they do , truth is , I care not much , Because I certain am what pow●r infused Those matters whereupon I now have mused , And know , that none will these or me condemn , But they whose rage and follies I contemn . Yet , that they may be sure I never care Who censures me , nor what their censures are , ( When honest things I do ) here , somwhat more I 'le add to what is mentioned before , And give thee , Britaine , a more perfect sight Of thy distempers , and thy sickly plight . Yea , thou shalt know , I have not seen alone A bodily Coniumption stealing on , And wasting of thy Temporalties ; but , that I also have discovered of late , A Lethargy upon thy soul to steal : And that as wel the Church as Commonweale Doth need a cure . Oh! do not quite neglect , The good of both ; but , one at least respect . Though Judahs sicknesses unheeded be , ( Although thy temporall wounds afflict not thee ) Yet look on Syon : yea , behold and see Thy spiritualties how much impair'd they be . The Churches Patrimony is decay'd And many a one is in her spoyles araid , Those Patrons , as we term them in this age , Who of her Dowries have the Patronage , Do rob and cheat her , many times of all ; And their Donations basely set to saile . Those Cananites , whom thou preservest here , And by thy lawes to be expelled were , Are in thy borders now so multiply'd , That they are thorns and thistles in thy side , They are become a Serpent in thy path , Which bites unseen ; and nigh unhorsed hath Some able Riders , On thy Places high Thy people doth commit Idolatry , And reare strange Alters . In my Fields are found Those cunning harmless Foxes to abound , That spoile thy Vines . And some I have espy'd , Twixt whose opposed tales , are firebrands ty'd , Which wasts thy fruits . Thy Harvest seemeth fair ; But secret blastings do so much impaire And blite the Corn ; that when it comes to bread , Thy Children oft unwholsomly are fed , Men use Religion as a stalking-horse To catch preferment ; yea , sometimes to worse And baser uses they employ the same ; Like that bold harlot , who quite void of shame , Did of her Vowes , and of her Peace-offerings make A Ginn , lascivious customers to take . Yea , some resembling him , from whom was cast One Devill , when one sin they have displac't , Of which the world took notice , sweep and clense Themselves ( in show ) from all their other sins ; Yet secretly , let Sathan repossess , And foul them with a seven-fold wickedness . An universall dulness will benum Thy senses , if thou do not soon become More heedfull of thy state , then thou art yet : For , ev'ry part hath felt an ague-fit . Thy Academs , which are the famous places In which all pious knowledges and graces Should nourisht he , and whence thy chiefe supply Of Teachers , come , ( as from a Nursery ) Ev'n those fair Fountains are much tainted grown , With doctrine hardly sound , which thence are blown Through ev'ry quarter . In their Schools are heard Vain jigs and janglings , worthless of regard . Their very Pulpits , and their Oratories , Are Stages , whereupon their own vain glories Men often act . Yea , many a vain conceit , Is brought instead of arguments of weight : And ( which is worse ) disorder is so rife Among them ; and the weeds of evill life Have so o'regrown those Gardens , that ( unless Good government shall speedily redress That spreading mischiefe ) it wil over●p The plants of Syon , and destroy her crop . To be thy Shepheards , wolves are stoln in ; And thou hast those who even by day begin To sow their Tares among thy purest Seed ; And , with mixt Grains thy Lands polutions breed . For hire , and money , Prophesies the Prophet : The Priest doth preach to make a living of it , Ev'n meerly for a living ; and but few Their holy charge for conscience sake pursue , Which I by many signes could make apparent , But that it is not yet within my Warrant . Loqunter Curae leves ; little Cures Do make men preach whilest poverty endures . Ingentes stupent ; but , large livings make Our Doctors dumb , condemn not my mistake : For , though I do the Latine sentence wrong , That 's true I tell you in the English tongue . Our Nation , which of late prophainness hated , Is in that sin almost fasionated . The Scriptures without reverence are used , The holy phrase , in jesting , is abused To flour , or praise , or curse , we can apply Gods holy word , most irreligiously . Instead of Emblemes , moving thoughts divine , The filthy pictures of lewd Aretine , Are found in many Closets Foolish lies , Prophane and most lascivious Elegies , Are publike made Yea , those whom heretofore A heathen Emperour did so abhor , That he , for them , their wanton Author sent To undergo perpetuall banishment ; Ev'n these , we read , and worse than those , by far , Allowed pass , and unaproved are . Nay , their vain Authors often cherisht be , At least , they have the favour to go free . But , if a graver Mus● reprove their sin , Lord , with what a hasty zeal they call it in How libellous they make it and how vile , Thou know'st ; and at that folly thou do it ●mile . Full warily the politick Divine , ( Who should allow it ) scanneth every Line Before it pass ; each phrase he doth suspect ; Although he findeth nothing to be checkt , He fears to licence it . And if by chance It pass abroad , forthwith doth ignorance Mistake or misapply , and false and bad Constructions are of good expressions made : Yea , they who on the seats of Judgement sit , Are oft , most ready to miscensure it . I would they were as forward to disgrace Those Authors , who have filled ev'ry place With fruitless volumes For dispersed are Ev'n quite throughout this Land every year , Ev'n many thousand Reames of scurrill toyes . Songs , Rimes and Ballads , whose vain use destroyes Or hinders Vertuous knowledge , and Devotion , And thus they do to further the promotion Of our Diana . Yet , Behold , if we To publish some few sheets required be , Con ai●ing pious Hy●ns , or christian Songs . Or ought which to the praise of God belongs : We do so fear the hindrance of our gain , That like the Ephesian Silver-smith , faine A great complaint , as to have enlarged A little Book , had grievously o'recharged The Common-wealth . Whereas if it were weigh'd How much of late this Land is overlaid With triviall volumes : or how much they do Corrupt our Manners , and Religion too , By that abusive matter they contain , I should not seem unjustly to complain . These times do swarm with Pamphlets , which be far More dangerous than mortall poysons are . Ev'n in those books , whereby the simple thought To finde true knowledge , they their bane have caught : For , thence , strong heresies ( there being hid Amid some doubtles truths , a while unspi'd ) Steale out among the people , by degrees ; More mischief working than each Reader sees . And , so , to ruine knowledge , that is made A instrument ; whereby it rising had . For ( by their lucre , who the Churches peace Disturb , their private profit to increase ) Those Doctrines which are un-authorised , Are so promiscuously divulg'd , and spread , Among approved Verities , that fome Are in those Labyrinths amaz'd become : And such a contradiction is in that VVhich their confused Pamphlets do relate ; That common Readers know not which to leave , Nor , which the Church of Egland doth receive . And from this mischiefe many others flow , VVhich will , in future times , more harmfull grow . This spins vain controversies to their length ; By this most heresies receive their strength . And what distraction it already makes , Our grieved Mother wofull notice takes Instead of active knowledge , and her fruit ; This silleth men with itching o● dispute , And empty words ; whereby are set abroach A thousand quarrells , to the truths raproach . The sectaries , the munkeys , and the apes , The Cubs and Foxes , which do ma● our Grapes , The VVolves in Sheep-skins , and our frantick rable Of VVorship-mongers , are innumerable . And as the Churches quiet they molest , So they each other spightfully infest . VVe have some quakers , some that halfe way go : Some Semi-quezills , some wholly so ; Some Anabaptists , some who do refuse Black-puddings , and good pork , like arrant Jews : Some also term'd Arminians are among Our Priests and people , very lately sprung . VVhat most , so call●d , profess , I stand not for ; And what some say they teach , I do abhor . But , what some other , so misnam'd , believe , Is that where●o best Christians credit give . For , as we see the most reformed man , By Libertines is term'd a Protestan : So ( by our purblinde Formalist ) all those VVho new fantastick crotchets do oppose , Begin to be misterm'd Coxils now . And hence e'relong will greater mischiefs grow Then most imagine . For , the foolish fear , Lest they to be Dattrells may appear , Or else be term'd quakers , will make Great multitudes Religion quite forsake . And I am halfe perswaded this will one Of those great Schismes or earthquakes , cause which Iohn Foretold in his Apocalyps ; and they Are blest , who shall not thereby fall away . Some Hocasses and some Famalists have we ; And some , that no man can tel what they be ; Nor they themselves , Some seem so wondrous pure They no mans conversations can endure , Unless they use their pleaistrings ; and appear In ev'ry formall garb which they shall weare . There be of those , who in their words deny , And hate the practise of Idolatry , Yet make an idol of their formall zeale , And underneath strickt holiness , conceale A mystery of evil which deceives them , And , when they think all safe , in danger leaves them . Their whole Religion some do place in hearing : Some , in the outward action of forbearing Ill deeds or in wel doing , though the heart In that performance bear no reall part . Some others , of their morrall actions make Small conscience : and affirm that God doth take No notice how ●n body they transgress , If him in their ●nward man confess : As if a soul beloved could reside Within a body quite un●an●fide . Some not contented in the act of sin Are grown so impudent , that they begin To justifie themselves in wickedness ; Or , by quait arguments to make it less ; And , by such Monsters , to such ends as this , The Christian liberty defamed is . Mewfangledness , Religion hath o'rethrown ; And , many as fantasticall are grown In that , as in apparell . Some , delight In nothing more than to be opposite To other men : Their zeale they wholly spend The present government to reprehend ; The Churches discipline to v●ll fie ; And raile , at all , which pleads antiquity . They love not peace : and therefore have suspition Of Truth it self , if out of persecution : And are so thankless , or so heedless be Of Gods great love , in giving such a free And plentious means of publishing his word , That , what , his Prophets of the Jews record , Some verifie in us . Much pralse is given To that blinde age , wherein the Queen of Heaven Was worshipt here . And alsly we extoll Those dayes , as being much more plentifull . Some , at the frequency of Preaching g●utch , And , tyred with it , think we have too much : Nay , impudently practise to suppress That Exercise , and make our plenty less , And , that their doing may not want some faire Or goodly coulor , they do call for Pray'r , Instead thereof ; as if we could not pray , Until our preaching we had sent away . As these are foolishly , or lewdly , wise ; We have some others want only precise : So waywardly dispised , amidst our plenty , And through their curiosity , so dainty , That very many cannot well digest The bread of life , but in their manner drest . Nor will Gods Manna , or that measure serve , Which he provides ; but , they cry out they starve ▪ ( Unless they feed upon their own opinions , Which are like Egypt Garlike and her Onion● ) Some like not Prayer that 's extempory : Some notany that set form doth carry . Some think there 's no devotion , but in those That howle , or whine , or snufle in the nose ; As if that God vouchsafed all his Graces For feigned gestures , or for sowre faces . Some think not that the man , who gravely teacheth ; Or hath a sober gesture when he preacheth , Of gentle voyce : hath any zeal in him , And therefore , such like Preachers they contemn . Yea , they suppose that no mans doctrine lave● The Soul of any one , unless he raves , And roares aloud , and slings , and hurleth so As if his arms he quite away would throw ; Or over-leap the Pulpet , or else break it : And this , if their opinion true may make it , Is to advance their voyces trumpet-like , As God commands : yea this they say doth strike Sin dead . Whereas indeed , God seldome goes In whirlwinds , but is in the voice of those Who speak in meekness . And it is not in The pow'r of noyse to shake the walls of sin : For clamors , antique actions , writhed looks And such like mimmick Rhetorick none brooks That hath discretion : neither doth it move The heart of any , when we so reprove ; Except it be in some contrary motion , Which interrupts the hearts good devotion . The well affected Christian pities it ; It makes prophanest men at nought to set Gods Ordinance . Meere morall men despise Such affatection ; much it terrifies The ignorant : but very few from thence Receive sound knowledg , or true penitence . Some relish nothing , but those points that are In controversie : some would nothing hear But songs of Mercy ; some delight in none But songs of Thunder , and scarce any one Is pleas'd in what he hears . Nay of their Preachers , Merchanicks , arrogate to be the teachers . Yea , most of us , what e're our Pastor sayes , Keep still our own opinions and our wayes . To hear and know Gods word , to some among Our Nation , seemeth only to belong To Clergy men ; and their implicite Faith Is built on what the common rumour saith . Some others fill'd with curiosity Affirm that ev'ry sev'rall mystery Within Gods book included , doth concern Ev●n each particular Christian man to learn : Whereas they might as wel affirm each guest That is invited to each Feast , Is bound the sev'ral dishes there to heed And upon every meet before him feed , Nay , some have almost this imagination That there is hardly hope of their Salvation Who speak not Hebrew . And this now adayes , Makes foolish women , and young Prentises To learn that holy tongues ; in which they grow As do those who nothing know , Save to be arrogant , and to contemn Those Pastors , who have taken charge of them , The appetite of some grows dull and failes , Unless it may be pampered with Quailes ; High flying crotchets , which we see do fill Not halfe so many souls as they do kill . We cannot be content to make our flights , For that which God exposeth to our sights , And search for that which he is pleas'd to show , But , we must also pry , what God doth know , Which was indeed an ancient fallacy O Satan ; and the very same whereby He cheated E● From seeking to disclose Beyond our warrant , what God onely knows , Proceedeth many errors . Thence doth come Most questions that have troubled Christendome . Yea , searching things conceal'd , hath overthrown The comfortable use of what is known . Hence flowes their fruitless fond asseveration , Who blundred on Eternall-Reprobation , And many groundless whimsies have invented , Whereby much better musings are prevented . Of Reprobation I no doubt have made ; Yet , those vain quarrellings which we have had . Concerning her , and her antiquity , ( But that the world hath wiser fooles then I ) Appears to me to bring so little fruits , That I suppose it fitter for disputes In Hell , ( among the reprobated crue ) Then for a Church of Christians to pursue : At least to brawle about with such hot rage , As hath possest some Spirits of this age . For , some have urg'd this point of Reprobation As if the chiefest ground-work of salvation Depended on believing , just , as they ( Deluded by their fancies ) please to say . And , though they never found Gods holy word Did any mention of the same afford , But , as of that which did begin since Time ; And with respect to some committed crime : They , nevertheless , their streights together gather , To prove the child solder than the Father . And , since that fatall thred , there , finds her spinning , But for Of ; at farthest from Beginning : They Reprobation otherwhile confound With our Predestination : which is found No where in all the Scripture to respect The reprobates , but only Gods Elect. And then they are compeld to prove the sense Of their dark ten● , by an inference ; And to affirm from reason that Election Eternall , doth infer the like rejection . As if an action of Eternity , Were fit to square our shallow reasons , by Which argument because it hath not taken True Faith , to ground on , may with ease be shaken . Their tortering structure , therefore , up to keep , They into Gods foreknowledg boldly peep , Beyond his warrant ; searching for decrees And secrets , farther than an angell sees : Presuming then , as if all things they knew , And had Eternitie within their view . But , that hath such an infinite extention . Beyond their narrow-bounded comprehension , That there they wander on , til they are mad And lose that little knowledge which they had . For what are they but mad men who maintain The giddy fancies of their own weak brain , For theses of Religion , which we must Believe as they affirm them , of be thrust Among the Reprobates ? VVhat less , I pray , Are they then mad who fool their wits away In wheeling arguments which have no end ? In strains which man shall never apprehend ? In seeking what their knowledg doth exceed ? In vain disputings , which contentions breed . In strange Chymera's , and fantastick notions , That neither stir us up to good devotions , Nor mend our manners ? But our wayes pervert , Distract the Judgment , or puffe up the heart . If this I may not madnes call , or folly , T is ( at the best ) religious-melancholly . What shal we judge of those who strive to make Gods Word ( whose terms and scope they much mistake Their proofes for that whereof no proofes they are , And sleight those truths , for which the Text is clear : What shall we deem of those , who quite mistaking Good authors , and their volumes guilty making Of what they never meant , do preach and write Against those Books with rancerous despight , Which being wel examin'd , say the same Which they affirm , and check what they do blame . Such men there be , and they great noyse have made By fighting furiously with their own shade . What may be thought of them , who likely , ever , In their perverse opinions to persever , Take knowledge upon trust : and follow those , Who lead them on , as wild-geese fly in rows ? And when their multitude is waxen great , Do then so wilfully prejudicate , Become so confident of that they hold , And in their blinde assurance , so are bold , That they can brook no tryall , neither see Their oversights , how plain so e're they be ; But fondly think ( though we believe it not ) That they infallibilitie have got . Some piousmen ; yea , some great Doctors tread . Such Labyrinths ; and often are misled By holding that which they at first were taught , Without due proving all things as they ought ; And vulgar men are often led awry , By their examples , and for company . For as a traveller that is to come From some far Countrey , through large deserts home , Nor knowing wel the way , is glad to take His course with such who shows of cunning make , And walks along , depending still on them , Through many a wood , and over many a stream , Till he and they are lost : there to remain He finds no safetie , nor means back again , Nor list to leave his company ; because He hopes that nearer homeward stil he draws , And that his guides ful sure of passage are , Although they cannot wel describe it where , So , when plain men do first attempt the way Of knowledge , by their guides , they walk astray . VVithout distrust : and when arriv'd they be VVhere many troublesome windings they do see And where no certainty they can behold , Yet , on their leaders knowledg they are bold , Or on their multitude : yea , though they know , And see them erre , and turn and stagger so , In darksome paths , that well suppose they may , They rove and wander in an uncouth way ; Yet stil they are unwilling to suspect The wisdome of the Fathers of their Sect. Yea , though no satisfaction they can find , Though fears and doubtings do afflict their mind , They still impute it rather to their own Infirmities , or to the depths unknown Of those mysterious points , to mention brought ; But never call in question what is taught : Lest being by those Teachers terrifide , They might forsaken in despaire abide . Their Doctors , also , failing to devise Strong arguments , their hearers to suffice , This course , to save their credits , late have got ; They say , forsooth , Faiths doctrine settles not With naturall capacities ; and that The Spirit must those men illuminate VVho shall receive them . And indeed in this , They do both say the truth , and say amiss : This is a Jesuitish juggling trick , And if allow'd it be , each lunatick , And every brain-sick Dreamer , by that way , May foist upon us all that he can say , For , though Gods holy Spirit must create New hearts within us , and regenerate Depraved nature , e're it can be able To make our outward hearings profitable ; VVe must not think that all which fancy faith ( In terms obscure ) are mysteries of faith . Nor make the hearers want of power to teach Their meanings to be proofes of what they teach . There is twixt men , and that which they are taught , Some naturall proportion , or t is naught . The deepest mystery of our profession , Is capable of literall expression , As wel to reprobates as men elected ; Or else it may of error be suspected . Yea , wicked men a power granted have To understand , although they misconceive ; And can of darkest pointsmake plain relations , Though to themselves they faile in applications . God never yet did bid us take in hand To publish that which none can understand : Much less affecteth he a man should mutter . Rude sounds of that , whose depth he cannot utter ; Or in uncertain terms , as many do , Who Preach non-sense , and oft non entia too : For those which man to man is bound to show , Are such plain Truths , as we by word may know ; Which when the hearer can express again , The fruit hath equalled the Teachers pain . Then , though the soul doth many times conceive By faith , and by that Word which we receive ) Deep mysteries , and that which far transcends A carnall knowledge : though she apprehends Some glimmerings of those Objects , that are higher Then humane Reason ever shall aspire ; Though she hath tastings of that blessedness , Which mortall tongue could never yet express ; And though the soul may have some earnest given On earth , of what it shall enjoy in heaven ; Though God may , when he list ( and now and then , For cause not ordinary ) to some men Vouchsafeth ( for their secret satisfactions ) A few reflections from eternall actions : Though this be so , let no man arrogate That he such secrets can by word relate : For , they are things , of which no voice can preach ; High flights , to which no mortall man can reach , T is Gods own work , such raptures to convey , To compass them there is no other way , But by his blessed Spirit : and of those Most can we not , some must we not disclose . For if they only touch our private state , They were not sent , that we should them relate ; But deigned that the soul they strengthen might Amid the perils of some secret sight ; VVhen men to honour God , or for their sin , The terrours of this life are plunged in . And as it is reputed of those things , VVhich foolish people think some Fairy brings , So , of Euthusiamses speak I may ; Discover them , and straight they fly away . For , thus they fare who boast of Revelations , Or of the certainty of their Salvations , Or any Ghostly gift , at times or places , Which warrant not the mention of such graces : Yea , by revealing things which they should hide , They entrance make for over weening pride : And that quite m●rres the blessing they possest , Or , for a while obscureth it at best : And yet , if any man shall climb so high , That they attain unto a Mystery , Conceiv'd by few ; they may , if they be able , Disclose it where it may be profitable . But they must know , that ( if it be , indeed , Of such transcendency ; as doth exceed Meere naturall reaches ) it should be declar'd To none , save unto those who are prepar'd For such conceptions ; and more apt to know them By their own thoughts , then are out words to show them Else , all they utter will in Clouds appear , And errors , men , for truths , away wil bear . Would this had been observed a little more , By some who in our Congregations roare Of Gods unknown Decrees , Eternall Callings , Of Perseverance , and of Finall Fallings . And such like Mysteries . Or else , I would That they their meanings better utter could , If wel they meant . For , though those points afford Much comfomrt and instruction , as Gods word Hath mentioned them , and may applyed be , And opened , when we just occasion see ; Yet , as most handle them , who now adayes , Do pass for Preachers , with a vulger praise , They profit not ; for , this ripe age hath young And forward wits , who by their fluent tongue , And able memories , a way have found To build a house , e're they have laid the ground , With common places , and with notes purloin'd ( Not wel applyed , and as ill conjoyn'd ) A garb of preaching these have soon attained , VVhich hath , with many , approbation gained Beyond their merit . For , they take in hand Those mysteries , they neither understand , Nor studied on . And they have much distracted Some hearers , by their Doctrines ill compacted : Yea , by enquiring out what God fore-sees , And medling much with his unknown Decrees , The Churches peace so much disturb'd have they ; So foul and crooked made Faiths plainest way ; Such scandalls rais'd ; and interrupted so , By doubts impertinent , what men should do ; And their endeavours nullified so far , That many of them at a nonplus are . Heydons not of their minds , who take from this And other things , that are perform'd amiss , Occasion to disparage frequent preaching , Or , to abate our plentiousness of teaching : For , of our Harvest , Lord , I humbly pray , The store of Labourers continue may . And , I could also wish , that none were chose To be a seed-man , till he truly knows The wheat from tares ; and is indu'd with reason , And grace , to sow in order , and in season , And that those art-less workmen may be staid , VVho build before foundations they have laid : Lest , when our Church wel built , suppose we shall , It sink , and overwhelm us in the Fall . It pities me to mark what rents appear Within our Sion , and what daubings are To hide the ruines , and I fear the frame VVil totter , if we long neglect the same . Our watchmen for the greater part , are grown Less mindful of Gods honor , than their own : For either almost wholly we omit That work , or undiscreetly follow it . Some speak the truth , without sincere intention , As they who preach the Gospel for contention . Some by their wicked lives do give offence , And harden men in their impenitence . As if not hel nor heav'n they did believe , They ryot , game , drink drunk , and whore , and thieve , For avarice , and envy , none are worse ; They are malicious , and blaspheme , and curse , As much as any others . None are more Regardless of the soul that 's mean and poore , Among their neighbors , none more quarrelsome , Or that more hardly reconcil'd become , Then many Clergy-men : and as we see They are the best of men , when good they be ; So , there are none that wander more astray ; VVhen they have left a sanctified way . Some Pastors are too hot , and some too cold , And very few the golden temper hold . Some at the Papist with such madness fling , As if they could not utter any thing Of them too vile ; though ne're so false it were : And we so used by their Iesuits are . Some others at the Quakers do strike , So furiously , that they are often like To wrong the Protestants : for , men impose That name sometime , upon the best of those ; Yea , they who are prophaine , that name mislay On all who make a conscience of their way . Some Shepheards on their flocks are gorg'd at full , And sumptiously arrayed in their wooll . But , those that are diseas'd , they make not strong : Their sickliest sheep they seldome come among : They take no care the broken up to bind ; The sheep that 's lost they never seek to find : They let such wander as will run astray , And many times their fury so doth fray The tender conscience , that their indiscretion Doth fright their hearers headlong to perdition . Gods bounty hath large pastorage provided , But they have not his flocks with wisdome guided : For in the midst of plenty , some be ready . To starve in ignorance . Some sheep are headdy : Some get the staggers , some the scab , and they Infect their fellows . Some the wantons play Among the thorns and bryars , which have torn The marks and fleeces , which they should have worn . Some straggle from the flock , and they are straight Surpriz'd by wolves , which lye for them in wait . Some sought large feeding , and ranck pastures got , VVhich prov'd not wholsome , and they caught the ●ot . For , many preach themselves , and fancies broach , That scandall preaching , to the truths reproach . Yea , some term that ( forsooth ) Gods word divine , VVhich would halfe shame me , should they term it mine , And they we see , longest pray and speak Are prized of most though head nor foot they make . Because the common hearers of this Land , Think best of that which least they understand . Some , also , by their feet disturb the springs ; Or trample or defile Gods pasturings , By hypocrites , injuriously defamed ; By the frailties of the best , oft shamed . And pow'r ecclesiasticall is granted To them , ful often , who those minds have wanted Becomming such authority : and they Play fast and loose , ev'n with the Churches Key . They censure and absolve , as best shall make For their advantage ; not for conscience sake . As they shall please , they punnish or connive ; And by the peoples follies they do thrive . Of evill customes many are we see Insinuated , and so strict are we To keep them , that we sottishly deny To leave them , for what more would edifie ? And we so much do Innovations fear , That needfull reformations none appear . VVe have prophained every holy thing ; Even our most Christian Feasts which are to bring Gods Mercies to our thought , and memorize Of Saving Grace , the sacred Mysteries : Some have even those gain-sayed ; and in that Have evil spoken of they know not what . Some others keep them ; but as heathenishly , As Feasts of Bacchus ; and impietie Is then so rife , that God is rarely named Or thought upon , except to be blasphemed . By these , and other wayes , the Church doth lose Much honour to the glory of Her Foes , And our great shame and loss : for her decayes Shall be this Realms disprofit and dispraise . God hath a controversie with our Land ; And in an evil plight affairs do stand . Already we do smart or doing ill ; Yet us the hand of God afflicteth stil , And hey are either such as make obscure Faiths principles ; or such whose lives impure , Prophane their Doctrines . Other some have we , VVho like the beast that over-game some be , Do push their weaker brethren with their Horns ; And hunt them from the flock , by wrongs , or scorn Gods houses , also , much neglected are ; And of his Sanctuaries , few have care . A barn , or any common house , or room , Is thought as wel Gods worship to become , As in the Churches infancy ; or there , VVherewants , and wars , and persecutions are . Amidst our peace and plenties , we do grutch Our Oratories should be trimm●d as much As are our vulgar dwellings ; and repine That exercises which are most divine , Should with more Rites , or Ornaments be done , Then when the troublous times afforded none . As if a Garden when the flow'rs are blown , VVere stil to look as when it first was sown . To worship so in spirit , we pretend That in our bodies , we do scarcely bend A leg , or move a cap , when there we be , VVhere Gods most holy Mysteries we see Yea , many seem so careful to have bin , To let no superstition enter in , That they have almost , wholly banisht hence , All decency , and pious Reverence . The Church by Lukewarm Christians , is neglected By bruitish Athests it is dis-respected ; By greedy VVorldlings , robbed of her fleeces , By self-will'd Schismaticks nigh torn in pieces ; By Tyrants and by infidels opposed ; By her blind Guides , to hazard oft exposed ; And many see it not ; as many be So wilful , that his hand they wil not see . Some plainly view the same , but nothing care Some at the sight thereof amazed are , Like Balthazar , and have a trembling heart , Yet wil not from their vanities depart . About such matters , othersome are loath Their thoughts to busie , ( meerly out of sloth ) Like him , who rather would in hazard put His Life , than rise from bed the door to shut . Some dream that all things do by chance succeed , And that I prate more of them than I need : But heav'n and earth to witness I invoke , That causlesly , I nothing here have spoke . If this , oh sickly Iland ! thou believe , And for thy great infirmitie shalt grieve , And , grieving of thy follies make confessions ; And , to confess thine infinite transgressions : That thou amend those errors : God shal then Thy manifold distempers cure agen ; Make all thy scarlet sins as white as snow , And cast his threatned judgments on thy foe . But , if thou ( fondly thinking thou art wel ) Shalt sleight this Message , which my Muse doth tel , And scorn her counsel ; if thou shalt not rue Thy former wayes ; but frowardly pursue Thy wilful course : then , hark what I am bold , ( In spight of all thy madness ) to unfold . For , I wil tel thy Fortune ; which when they That are unborn shal read another day , They will believe Gods mercy did infuse Thy Poets brest , with a Prophetick Muse . And know , that he this author did prefer To be from him , this Iles Remembrancer . If thou , I say , oh Britain ! shalt retain Thy crying sins , thou dost presume in vain Of Gods protection . If thou stop thine eare , Or burn this Rowle , in whice recorded are Thy just Inditements ; it shall written be VVith new additions , deeply stampt on thee With such Characters , that no time shall race Their fatal image , from thy scarred face : Though haughtily thou dost thy self dispose , Because the Sea thy borders doth inclose . Although upon the Rocks thy nest is plac'd : Though thou among the Stars thy dwelling hast ; Though thou encrease thy ships ; and unto that Which is thine own , with King Iehosaphat ; Joyn Ahabs forces . Though thou watch and ward , And all thy Ports and Havens strongly guard ; Although thou multiply thy inland forces , And muster up large troops of men and horses ; Though like an Eagle thou thy wings display'st , And ( high thy self advancing ) proudly say'st ; I fit aloft , and am so high , that none Can fetch me from the place I rest upon . Yea , though thou no advantages didst want , Of which the glorious Emperies did vaunt ; Yet , sure , thou shalt be humbled and brought low ; Ev'n then , perhaps , when least thou fear'st it so . Till thou repent , provisions which are made For thy defence , or others to invade , Shall be in vaine ; and stil the greater cost Thou shalt bestow , the honour that is lost Shall be the greater , and thy wasted strength , Be sink of a Consumption at the length Thy treaties , which for peace or profit be , Shall neither peace , nor profit bring to thee . Or , if thy Counsels prosper for a while , God wil permit it , onely to beguile Thy foolishness ; and tempt thee on to run Some courses , that will bring his Judgements on . Yea , all thy winnings shall but fuel be , To feed those follies that now spring in thee ; And make with vengeance those the more enrag'd Who shall for thy correction be engag'd . What ever threatned in Gods Book hath bin , Against a wicked people for their sin , Shall come on thee : His hand shall be for ill , On every Mountain , and high-raised hill . Thy lofty Cedars , and thy sturdy Oaks , Shall feel the fury of his Thunder stroake . Upon the Ships , thy Havens , and thy Ports , Upon thy arms , thy armies , and thy Forts , Upon thy pleasures and commodities , Thy Crafts mechanick , and thy merchandise ; On all the fruits and Cattel in thy fields , On what the ayre , or what the water yeilds , On State and people ; on both weak and strong , On Priest and Prophet or both old and young ; Yea , on each person , place , and every thing , The Plague it hath deserved , God shal bring . What ever thou dost hope he frustrate shall ; And make what e're thou fearest on thee fall . This pleasant soyle , wherein such plenty grows , And where both milk and honey overflows , Shall for thy peoples wickedness be made A Land as barren , as what never had , Such plenties in it . God shall drive away Thy pleasant Fowles , and all those Fish that play Within thy waters ; and for whose great store Some other Nations would have prais'd him more . Those Rivers , that have made thy vallies rich , Shall be like streams of ever burning Pitch , Thy dust , as Brimstone , fields as hard and dry As iron is ; the firmament on high , Like Brass , shall yeild thee neither rain nor due , The hope of wasted blessings to renue . Aleanness , shall thy fatness quite devour ; Thy wheat shall in the place of wholsome flowre , Yeild nought but bran . In stead of grass and corn , Thou shalt in times of harvest , reap the thorn , The thistle and the bryar . Of their shadows Thy Groves shall robbed be : thy flowry Medows shal steri ; e wax : there shal be seldom seen Sheep on thy downs , or Shepheards on the Green , Thy walks , thy Gardens , and each pleasant plot , Shall be as those where men inhabit not , Thy Villages ; where goodly dwellings are , Shal stand as if they unfrequented were . Thy Cities and thy Palaces wherein Most neatness and magnificence hath bln , Shal heaps of rubish be , and as in those Demolisht Abbies where in Dawes and Crowes . Now make their nests , the Bramble , and the Nettle , Shal in their halls and parlours root , and settle , Thy Princes houses , and thy wealthy Ports , Now fill●d with men of all degrees and sorts , Shal no inbabitants in them retain , But some poor Fisherman , or Countrey Swain , VVho of thy glories , When the marks they see , Shall wonder what those mighty ruins be ; As now they do , who old foundations find , Of towns and Cities perisht out of mind . The places where much people meetings had , Shal vermine holes , and dens for beasts be made . Or walks for sprights , who from those uncouth rooms Shall fright the passenger , which that way comes . In stead of mirth and laughter , lamentation Shall there abide : and loathsome desolation , In stead of company . Where once was heard Sweet melody , men shall be made afeard With hideous cryes , and howlings of despaire . Thy very Climate , and thy temp'rate ayre , Shall lose their wholsomness , for thy offences , And breed hot Fevers , Murraines , Pestilences , And all diseases ! they that now are trained In ease , and with soft pleasures entertained ; In stead of idle games , and wanton dances , Shall practise how to handle guns , and launces ; And be compell'd to leave their friends embraces , To end their lives in divers uncouth places ; Or else , thy face , with their own blood defile , In hope to keep themselves , and thee , from spoile . Thy beautious Women , whose great pride is more Than theirs , whom Esay blamed heretofore , In stead of paintings , and of costly sents , Of glittering gems , and precious ornaments , Shall wear deformitie about their faces ; And being rob'd of all their tempting graces , Feele wants , diseases , and all such like things , Which to a wanton Lover lothing brings . Thy God , shall for thy overflowing vices , Scourge thee with Scorpions , Serpents , Cockatrices , And other such ; whose tailes with stings are armed , That neither can be plucked forth , nor charmed . Thou shalt not be suffiz'd when thou art fed ; Nor shalt thou suffer scarcitie of bread And temporall food alone ; but , of that meat , Whereof the faithfull soul desires to eat . That curse of Ravenous Beasts , which God hath said , Upon a wicked Kingdom shal be laid , He will inflict on thee . For though there be No Tygers , Lyons , Wolves , or Bears in thee , By beastly minded men that shall be far More cruel than those bloody spoylers are , Thou shalt be torn : for , each man shall assay His fellow to devour as lawfull prey . In stead of Lyons , tyrants thou shalt breed , Who not of conscience nor of Law take heed ; But , on the weak mans portion lay their Paw , And make their pleasures to become their Law , In stead of tygers , men of no compassion , A furious , and a wilful generation , Shall fil thy borders . Thieves and outlaws vile , Shal hunt the waies , and haunt the woods for spoyle , As Bears and Wolves . A subtile cheating crew ( That wil with tricks and cozenages pursue The simpler sort ) shal here encrease their breed ; And in their subtilties the Fox exceed . That hoggish herd , which alwaies rooting are Within the ground , and never upward rear . Their grunting snouts ; nor fix their eyes on heav'n , To look from whence their daily food is giv'n : Those filthy swinish livers , who desire To feed on draff , and wallow in the mire ; Those who affect rank puddles , more than springs ; To trample and despise most pleasant things ; The holy to prophane ; Gods herbs of grace To nouzle up , his Vinyard to deface ; And such like harms to do : these shal thy fields , Marre worse , then those wild boares the desart yeilds . If thou remaine impenitent , thou art Like Egypt , and so stony is thy heart . For which obdurateness , those plagues wil all Descend on thee , which did on Egypt fall . Blood , Frogs , and Lice , great swarms of uncoth Flies , th' infectious Murraine , whereof Cattle dies : Boyles , Scabs , & Blaines fierce Haile , & Thunder-storms , The Locust , and all fruit devouring VVorms . Cross Darkness , and the death of those that be Thy Darlings , all those plagues shall fall on thee , According as the Letter doth imply , Or , as in mystick sense they signifie . Thy purest Rivers God shall turn to blood ; With ev'ry Lake , that hath been sweet and good , Ev'n in thy nostrils he shall make it stink , For nothing shall thy people eat or drink , Vntill their own or others blood it cost ; Or put their lives in hazard to be lost . Most loathsome Frogs ; that is a race impure , Of base condition , and of birth obscure , ( Ev'n in unwholsome ●ens , and ditches , bred ) Shal with a clownish rudeness over-spread Thy pleasant'st fields ; thy fairest rooms possess ; And make unwholsome by their sluttishness , Thy kneeding troughs , thy ovens , and that meat , Whereof thy people , and thy Princes eat , This hatefull brood , shall climb to croak and sing , Within in lodging chambers of the King , Yea , there make practise of those naturall notes , Which issue from their evil-sounding throats : To wit , vain-brags , revilings , r●baldries , Vile slanders , and unchristian blasphemies . The Land shall breed a nasty generation , Unworthy either of the reputation Or name of men . For , they as Lice shall feed Ev'n on the body whence they did proceed ; Til poverty , and floventy , and sloath , Have quite disgraced them , and consum'd them both . There shall , moreover , swarmes of divers Flies , Engendred be in thy prosperities , To be a plague : the flesh-flye shal corrupt Thy savory meats ; Musketoes interrupt The weary traveller ; thou shalt have Drones , Dores , Hornets , Wasps , and such like angry-ones , Who represent that warm whose buzzing tongues ( Like stings ) are used in their neighbors wrongs ; And , stil are flying , and stil bumming so , As if they meant some weighty work to do , Whenas , upon the common stock they spend ; And nought perform of that which they pretend . Thy Butter-flies shall plague thee too ; ev'n those , Who wast their Lands and Rents , in gaudy clothes Or idle flutterings , and then spawn their seed , Upon thy godli●st flow'rs and herbs to feed . As beasts destroyed by the Murraine be , So they that are of beastly life in thee , By lewd example shal infect each other , And in their foul diseases rot together . On all thy people , or what sort soe're , Shall Scabs , and bile , and running sores appear , The fruits of their corruption . Yea , with pains ( Within their conscience , and with scars and blaines Of outward infamy ) they shal be grieved , And in their tortures perish unrelieved . Tempestious storms , upon this I le shall fall , Hot thunder-bolts , and Haile-stones therewithall , Men either too too hot , or too too cold , Or else luke warm . But few or none shall hold A rightfull temper : and these meteors wil Thy borders with a thousand mischieves fil , The Locust also , and the Palmer worms , Shall prey on what escapeth from the storms , Not they alone , which on the grass do breed ; But also , they who from the pit proceed Which hath no bottom and when any thing Doth by the dew of Heav'n begin to spring , They shal devour the same , til they have left thee , Nor leafe nor blossome ; but of all bereft thee . Then shall a darkness , far more black , Then when the light corporeal thou dost lack . For grossest ignorance ; o'reshadowing all , Shall in so thick a darkness thee inthrall , That thou a blockish people shalt be made , Stil wandring on in a deceiving sha●e ; Mistrusting those that safest paths are showing , Most trusting them , who counsel thy undoing ; And aye tormented be with doubts and fears , As one that outcries , in dark places hears . Nor shal the hand of God from thee return , Til he hath also more thine eldest-born , That is , til he hath taken from the quite , Ev'n that whereon thou fetst thy whole delight ; And filled ev'ry house throughout this Nation , With deaths unlooked for , and lamentation . So great shall be thy ruine , and thy shame , That when the neighbor kingdomes hear the same Their ears shal tingle . And when that day comes , In which thy follies must receive their dooms ; A day of clouds , a day of gloominess , A day of black despaire , and heaviness It wil appear . And then thy vanities , , Thy gold , thy silver , thy confederacies , And all those reeds on which thou hast depended ; Wil faile thy trust , and leave thee unbefriended . Thy Judge , thy Priests , and Prophets , then shal mourn And , peradventure , feignedly return To beg of God to succour them : but they Who wil not hearken to his voice to day , Shal cry unheeded : and he wil dispise Their vows , their prayers , and their sacrifice : A sea of troubles , all thy hopes shall swallow , As waves on waves , so plague on plague shal follow : And ev'ry thing that was a blessing to thee , Shal turn to be a curse ; and help undo thee . Thy Magistrates have to thee thy fathers bin : By means of them hath peace been kept within Thy sea-girt limits : they thy weale befriended , The blessed faith they stoutly have defended : But know , that , til thou shalt repent , no part Belongs to thee of what is his desert ; His princely vertues , to his own availe , Shall profit much : but they to thee shall faile . To thee his clemency shall seem severe , His favours all , shall injuries appear , And when thy sin is fully ripe in thee , Thy prince and people then alike shall be , Thou shalt have babes to be thy Iudges , or worse , Those tyrants who by cruelty and force Shal take away thy ancient freedomes quite , From all their Subjects , yea themselves delight , In their vexations : and all those that are Made slaves thereby , shal murther , yet not dare To stir against them . By degrees they shal Deprive thee of thy patrimonies all ; Compel thee ( as in other Lands this day ) For thine own meat , and thine own drink to pay . And at the last begin to exercise . Upon thy sons , all heathenish tyrannies , As just prerogatives . To these intents , Thy nobles shall become their instruments . For they who had their birth from noble races , Shall some and some be brought into disgraces ; From offices they shall excluded stand : And all their vertuous off-spring , from the Land , Shall quite be worn : instead of whom shall rise A brood advanced by impieties , By flattery , by purchase , and by that Which ev'ry truly noble one doth hate . From stems obscure , and out of mean professions , They shall ascend and mount by their ambitions , To seats of Justice , and those Names to bear , Which honor'd most within these nations are . And being thither got shall make more strong Their new-built greatness , by encreasing wrong . To those , wil some of these themselves unite , Who by their births to Lordly Stiles have right ; But viciously consuming their estate , Did from their fathers worths degenerate : By this confederacy , their nobler bloods Shall countenance the others il-got goods ; The others wealth again , shall keep from scorn Their beggery , who have been nobly born : And both together , being else unable , ( In this il course to make their standing stable ) Shall seek how they more great and strong may grow , By compassing the publike overthrow , They shal abuse thy friends with tailes and lies ; With seeming love and servile flatteries . They shall perswade them they have power to make Their wills their Law ; and as they please to take Their peoples goods , their children and their lives , Ev'n by their just and due Prerogatives . When thus much they have made them to believe , Then they shall teach them practises to grieve their subjects by ; and instruments become to help the sorewing up , by some and some , To compass their designs . They shall devise Strange projects , and with impudence and lyes , Proceed in setling them . They shall forget Those reverent usages , which do befit The majestie of State , and raile and storm , VVhen they pretend disorders to reform , In their high counsels , and where men should have Kind admonitions , and reprovings grave , VVhen they offend , they shall be threatned there , Or scoft , or taunted , though no cause appear . It is unseemly for a judge to sit And exercise a jibling School-boyes wit Upon their trades , or names , who stand before Their judgment seats : but who doth not abhor , To hear it , when a Magistrate objects , Birth , poverty , or personall defects In an upbraiding wise ? Or , who with me Derides it not , when in our Courts we see Those men , whose bodies are both old and weak , ( Forgetting grave and useful things to speak ) Vent Giants words , and bristle up as tho Their very breath could armies overthrow : VVhereas ( poor weaklings ) were there in their places No more authority , then in their faces , Their persons , or their language , all their chafing , And threatning , nothing would effect but laughing . For unto me big looks , and crying , hoh , As dreadful seems as when a Child cryes , boh , To fright his Nurse , yea such a bugbeare fashion Effecteth nought but scornful indignation . But in those times ( which nearer are than some Suppose perhaps ) such Rhetorick will come To be in use ; and arguments of Reason And just proceeding , wil be out of season . Their wisdome shal be folly ; and go nigh To bring contempt on their authority . Their Councel-table shal a snare be made , And those 'gainst whom they no just matter had , At first appearance , shal be urg'd to say Some word or other , ere they part away , Which wil betray their innocence to blame , And bring upon them detriment and shame : Yea , many times ( as David hath of old , Concerning such oppressors , wel fore-told ) To humble crouchings , and to feigned showes , Descend they shal to work mens overthrowes : And , what their subtilty doth fail to gain , They shal by rigour and by force obtain . What ever from thy people they can teare Or borrow , they shall keep , as if it were A prize which had been taken from the foe : And , they shal make no conscience what they do To prejudice Posteritie . For , they To gain their lust , hut for the present day , Shall with such love unto themselves endeavor , That ( though they knew it would undo for ever Their own posterity ) it shal not make Those Monsters any better course to take . Nay , God shall give them up for their offences , To such uncomely reprobated sences : And blind them so , that when the ax they see Ev'n hewing at the root of their own tree , By their own handy strokes , they shal not grieve For their approaching fall : no , nor believe Their fall approacheth ; nor assume that heed Which might prevent it , til they fall indeed . Thy Judges , Britain , in those days will bee Like roaring Lions , making prey of thee . God shall deliver thee into their hand , And they shall act their pleasure in the Land ; As once his Prophet threatned to that nation , VVhich doth exemplifie thy Desolation . Thy Priests ( as thou hast wallowed in excess ) Shal take delight in drink and wantonness . And those , whom thou dost call thy Noble ones Shall to the very marrow , gnaw thy bones . Thy Lawyers fulfully shall wrest thy Laws , And ( to the ruin of the common Cause ) Shal mis-interpret them , in hope of grace From those , who may dispoyle them of their place . Yea , that whereto they are obliged , both By conscience , by their calling , and their Oath To put in execution they shal feare , And leave them helpless , who oppressed are . Thy Prelates in the spoyl of thee shal share ; Thy Priests as light shall be as those that are The meanest persons : all their Prophesies Or Preachings shall be heresies and lies . The word of truth shal not in them remain , Their lips no wholsome knowledge shal retain , And all his outward means of saving grace , Thy God shall carry to another place . Mark wel , oh Britain ! what I now shal say , And do not sleightly pass these words away . But be assured that when God begins , To bring that vengeance on thee for thy sins , Which hazard shall with total over-throw , Thy Prophets , and thy Priests will sl●ely sow The seeds of that dissention , and sedition , Which time wil ripen for thy sad perdition , Ev'n they who formerly were of thy peace The happy instruments , shall then increase Thy troubles most . And , ev'n as when the Iews Gods truth-presaging Prophets did abuse , He suffered those who preached in his Name , Such falshoods , as the chiefest cause became Of their destruction : so if thou go on To make a scorn ( as thou hast often done ) Of them who seek thy welfare , he will send False Prophets that shal bring thee to thine end , By saying all things thou wouldst have them say , And lulling thee asleep in thine own way . If any brain-sick Fellow , whom the Devil Seduceth to inflict on thee some evil , Shall coyn false Doctrines , or perswade thee to Some foolish course that wil at length undo The Common-weal : his counsel thou shalt follow ; Thou , cover'd with his bait , a hook shalt swallow To rend thy entrails : and thine ignorance Shal also for that mischief him advance . But if that any lover of thy weal , Inspir'd with truth , and with an honest zeal , Shall tell thee ought pertaining to thy good , His Messages shal stiffly be withstood : That Seer shall charged not to see ; His word shall sleighted as a Po●sherd be : His life shal be traduced , to disgrace His counsels ; or , his errant to debase : Instead of recompence , he shal be sure Imprisonments or threatnings to procure : And peradventure ( as those Prophets were , Who did among the Iewish Peers declare Their States enormities ) his good intention , May be so wrong'd , that he , by some invention , May lose his life , with publike shame and hate , As one that is a troubler of the State . But not unless the Priest , thereto consent : For in those dayes shal few men innocent Be griev'd ( through any quarter of the Land ) In which thy Clergie shall not have some hand . If ever in the Fields ( as God forbid ) The Bloo● of thine own children shall be shed By civil discord , they shal blow the flame , That will become thy ruine , and thy shame . And thus it shall be kindled . When the times , Are nigh at worse ; and thy increasing crimes Almost compleat ; the Devil shal begin To bring strange crotchets , and opinions in Among thy teachers , which wil breed disunion , And interrupt the visible communion Of thy establish't Church , And , in the steed Of zealous Pastors , ( who Gods flock did feed ) There shal arise within thee , by degrees , A Clergie , that shall more desire to fleece , Then feed the flock . A clergie it shall be , Divided In it self : and they shall thee Divide among them , into sev'ral factions : VVhich rend thee will , and fill thee with destractions : They all in outward seeming shall pretend Gods glory , and to have one pious end : But , under colour of sincere devotion , Their studie shal be temporal promotion : YVhich wil among themselves strange quarrels make VVherein thy other children shal partake . As to the Persons , or the cause , they stand Affected , even quite throughout the Land . Now one great man among them gets the pow'r , From all the rest , and like an Emperour , Doth act his pleasure . And we know 't is common To have some foolish Favorite or woman , To govern him , so in a pop'lar State , Affairs are manag'd by the self same fate ; And either one or more away do steal The peoples hearts , and sway the Commonweale . Thus God is pleas'd , to humble and to raise : Thus he by sev'ral names , and sev'rall waies , The world doth govern . Yea thus ev'n in one nation , And in one State , he makes much alteration In forms of Government : of changing that Which is but accidentall to a State . And such his Justice , and his Wisdome is , That he preserveth by the means of this , Those things which do essentially pertain To that great power which over all doth reign . Nor is he pleased thus it should be done In States that meerly civil are alone ; But also in the Churches Governments , Allows the change of outward accidents . Yea , they to whom he gives the oversights Of some particular Church , may change old Rites , The Customes , Forms , or titles as occasions Are offered them ; or as the times , or Nations , Require a change : provided so , that they Take nothing which essential is away ; Nor add what shall repugne or prejudice Gods Laws , his prophets , or the liberties Of them that are his people . For , in what Hath any Church a pow'r , if not in that VVhich is indifferent ? Or , in what I pray VVil men the Church authority obey , If not in such like things ? Or who should be The Judge what is indifferent , if not she ? A private Spirit knows what best agrees With his own fancy , but the Church best sees , What fits the Congregation . For ; what gives , Offence to one , another man receives Much Comfort ; and his Conscience edifies . By disciplines which many do despise , There is I know , a middle-way that lies Ev'n just betwixt the two extremities , Which to sedition , and to faction tend . To find which tract , my whole desire I bend ; And wish it follow'd more . For , if we tread That harmless path , we cannot be misled ; Nor sham'd , though blam'd we be . To ev'ry man I faine would give his due ; and all I can I do endeavour it . I would not wrong My Countrey ; neither take what doth belong To Cesar : nor infringe , or prejudice , The Universall Churches liberties ; Nor for her outward discipline prefer Or censure any Church particular , Or any State , but as befit it may , His Muse , which nought but necedfull truths doth say . Nor have I any purpose to withdraw Obedience , or respect from any Law That 's positive , or to dishearten from Those Customes , which a Christian state become . Nor have I any thought to scandalize , Or speak amiss of Principalities ; Or , to traduce mens persons : but , I fall On errors of mens lives in generall , And , on those great abuses , which I see To blemish ev'ry calling and degree . Of Dignities and Persons , I observe , All means I can , their honours to preserve , VVhen I reprove their faults . And ev'n as he That hunteth Foxes , where Lambs feeding be , May fright that harmless flock , and suffer blame Of some By-standers , ( knowing not his Game ) VVhen from his Dogs , those innocents are free , And none but their devourers bitten be . So , though my reprehensions , often are Mistook by foolish Readers ; they are far From reprehending those , or taxing that VVhich is unfitting for my shooting at . I speak those things which wil advantage rather Then harm : and hence this blinded age may gather Much light . VVhich little volume doth relate Nought else but what is like to be our fate , If sin increase ; and what in former times Did fall on other Nations for their crimes . I utter what our welfare may increase , And help confirm us in a happy peace ; VVhich they wil never compass , who pursue To speak what 's pleasing , rather than what 's true , How ever , here my thoughts deliv'red be : Let God , as he shal please , deliver me . And if what here is mention'd , thou dost heed ( Oh Britain ! ) in those times that shall succeed , It may prevent much loss , and make thee shun Those mischiefs , whereby Kingdoms are undone . But to thy other sins if thou shalt add Rebellions ( as false Prophets wil perswade ) VVhich likely are to follow , when thou shalt In thy profession of Religion halt : Then wil thy Priests and People scourge each other , 〈◊〉 their offences , til both fail together : By weakning of your pow'rs to make them way , VVho seeek and look for that unhappy day : Then shall disorder ev'ry where abound And neither just not pious man be found . The best shal be a bryar or a thorn , By whom their neighbors shal be scratcht and torn . Thy Prophets shal to nothing condescend For any merit , just , or pious end ; But either for encreasing of their treasure , Or , for accomplishing their wilful , pleasure : And unto what they sel or daine for need ; There shall be given little trust or heed . For that which by their words confirm they shall , ( The Royal Seals uniting therewithal ) A toy shall frustrate ; and a gift shall make Their strickest Orders no effect to take . The judge , without a bribe , no cause shall end : No man shall trust his brother , or his friend : The Parents and the children shall despise And hate , and spoyle each other , she that lies VVithin her husbands bosome , shall betray him : They who thy people should protect , shall slay them , The aged shall regarded be of none : The poor shall by the rich be trodden on : Such grievous insolencies , every where Shall acted be , that good and bad shall fear In thee to dwel ; and men discreet shal hate To be a Ruler , or a Magistrate . VVhen they behold ( without impenitence ) So much injustice , and such violence . And when thy wickedness this height shal gain , To which ( no doubt ) it wil ere long attain , If thou proceed : then from the bow that 's bent And halfe way drawn already , shal be sent A morral arrow , and it pierce thee shal Quite through the head , the Liver , and the Gall . The Lord shall call , and whistle from afarre , For those thy enemies that fiercest are : For those thou fearest most ; and they shall from Their Countreys , like a whirlwind hither come , They shall not sleep , nor slumber , nor untie Their garments till within thy field they lye , Sharp shall their arrows be , and strong their bow , Their faces shall as ful of honor show As doth a Lions . Like a bolt of thunder Their troops of horse shall come and tread thee under Their iron feet : thy Foes shall eat thy bread . And with thy flocks both clothed be and fed . Thy dwellers , they shall carry from their own , To Countries which their fathers have not known , And thither shall such mischiefs them pursue , That they who seek the pit-fall to eschew , Shall in a snare be taken . If they shall Escape the sword , a Serpent in the wall To death shall sting them : yea , ( although they hap To shun a hundred plagues ) they shall not escape ; But , with new dangers stil be chac'd about , Until that they are wholly rooted out . The Plowman then shal be afraid to sowe , Artificers their labour shal sorgoe ; The Merchant man shal cross the Seas no more , ( Except to fly , and seek some other Shore ) Thy ablest men shall faint : thy wise-ones then , Shal know themselves to be but foolish men . And they who built and planted by oppression , Shal leave their gettings to the foes possession . Yea , God wil scourge thee , England , seven times more With seven times greater Plagues than heretofore : Then , thy allies their friendship shal with-draw ; And , they that of thy greatness stand in awe , Shal say in scorn , Is this the valiant Nation , That had throughout the world such reputation By victories upon the shore ? are these That people which was Master of the Seas , And grew so mighty ? yea , that petty Nation That were not worthy of thy indignation , Shal mock thee too ; and all thy former fame Forgot shall be , or mentioned to thy shame . Mark how Gods plagues were doubled on the Jews , When they his mildrorrections did abuse : Mark what at last upon their land he sent : And , look thou for the self-same punishment , If them thou imitatest . For their sin At first , but eight yeers bondage they were in . Their wickedness grew more , and God did then , To Eglon make them slaves eight yeers and ten , They disobeying still , the God of heaven , Their yeer of Servitude were twenty seven , To Iabin and to Midian : then prevailed Philistia forty yeers ; and when that failed , To make them of their evil wayes repent , There was among themselves a fatal rent ; And , they oft scourg'd each other . Still they trod The self-same path ; and then the hand of God ●rought Ashur on them ; and did make them beare His heavy yoke untill the seventeenth yeer . And last of all the Roman Empire came , Which from their Countrey rooted out their name , That foolish project which they did imbrace , To keep them in possession of their place , Did loose it : and , like Cain , that vagrant nation , Hath now remain'd in fearful desolation , Nigh sixteen hundred years ; and whatsoere Some lately dream , in vain they look for here A temp'ral Kingdome . For , as long ago Their Psalmist said , No Prophet doth foreshow This thraldomes end . Nor shall it end until The Gentiles their just number do fulfil : Which is unlike to be until that hour , In which there shall be no more temporall pow'r , Of temporall Kingdome ; therefore gather them ( Oh Lord ! ) unto thy new Jerusalem , In thy due time . For , yet unto that place They have a promist right , by thy meer grace , To those who shal repent , thy firm Election Continues in this temporall rejection . Oh! shew thy mercy in their desolation , That thou maist honor'd be in their salvation Yea , teach us also , by their fearfull fall , To hearken to thy voice , when thou dost call ; ( Lest thou in anger unto us protest , That we shall never come into thy rest . ) For we have follow'd them in all their sin ; Such , and so many , have our warnings bin : And if thou stil prolong not thy compassion , To us belongs the selfe-same desolation . And it wil shortly come , with all those terrors That we on them inflicted , for their errors . Then wo shall be to them that heretofore By joyning house to house expell'd the poor ; And field have into field incoporated , Until their town-ship were depopulated . For desolate their dwelling shall be made : Ev●n in their blood the Lord shall bathe his blade : And they that have by avarice and wiles , Erected Pallaces and costly piles ; Shal think the stones and timbers in the wall , Aloud to God , for vengeance on them call . Then wo shal be to them who early rise To eat and drink , and play , and wantonnize ; Stil adding sin to sin , for , they the pain Of cold , and thirst , and hunger , shal sustain ; And be the servile slaves of them that are Their foes , as to their lusts they captives were . Then wo to them who darkness more have lov'd Then light , and good advice have disapprov'd : For they shall wander in a crooked path , Which neither light , nor end , nor comfort hath . And when for guides and Counsel they do cry , Not one shal pitty them who passeth by . Then wo to them that have corrupted bin , To justifie the wicked in his sin : Or for a bribe ; the righteous to condemn : For flames ( as on the chaff ) shall seize on them : Their bodies to the dunghill shal be cast : Their flowre shal turn to dust ; their stock shal wast , And all the Glorious titles they have worn , Shal but increase their infamy and scorn , Then wo to them that have been rais'd aloft By good mens ruines , and by laying soft And easie pillows , under great mens arms , To make them pleas'd in their alluring charms . Then wo to them who being grown afraid Of some nigh peril , sought unlawful aid ; And settings Gods protection quite aside , Upon their own inventions have rely'd . For God their foolish hopes wil bring to nought ; On them , their feared mischief shal be brought ; And all their wit and strength , shal not suffice , To have their sorrow of , which on them lies . Yea , then , Oh Britain ! wo to ev'ry one , That hath without repentance evil done : For , those who do not heed , not bear in mind His visitings , Gods reaching hand will find ; And they with howling cryes and lamentation , Shal sue and seek , in vain , for his compassion . Because they careless of his mercies were , Til in consuming wrath he did appear . Burst I we set far off that evil day , In dul security we pass away Our precious time ; and with vain hopes and toyes , Build up a trust which ev'ry puffe destroyes . And therefore stil when healing is expected , New and unlookt for troubles are effected . We gather armies and we Fleets prepare : And then both strong and safe we think we are But when we look for victories and glory , What follows , but events that make us sorry ? And 't is Gods mercie that we turn our faces With so few losses , and no more disgraces . For what are most of those whom we commend Such actions to ; and whom we forth do send To fights those battels , which the Lords we call , But , such as never fight for him at all ? Whom dost thou make thy Captains , and dispose Such offices unto , but unto those ( Some few excepted ) who procure by friends , Command and pay , to serve their private ends ? This Iland hath some sense of what the ayles , And very much , this evil times bewailes : But not our sins do we so much lament , Or mourn , that God for them is discontent , As that the plagues , they being disturb our pleasures , Encrease our dangers and exhaust our treasures . And for these causes , now and then we fast , And pray , as long as halfe a day doth last , For if the Sun do but a little clear That Cloud , from which a tempest we do fear , What kinde of grief we took we plainly shew By those rejoycings which thereon ensue : For in the stead of such due thankfulness , As Christian zeal obligeth to express ; To pleasure ( not to God ) we sacrifice ; Renew our sins , revive our vanities ; And all our vowed gratitude expires , In games , in guns , in bels , in health , or Fires . We fain would be at peace : but few men go That way , as yet , whereby it may be so . We have not that humility which must Effect it : we are false , and cannot trust Each other ; no nor God with true confessions : Which shews that we abhor not our transgressions . It proves , that of our errors , we in heart Repent not , neither purpose to depart From any folly , For all they that are Sincerely penitent , do nothing fear So much as their own guilt ; nor seek to gain Ought more , than to be reconcil'd again . And they that are thus minded , never can Be long unreconcil'd to God , or man . When we should stoop , we most our selves exalt , ●nd though we be , would not be thought in fault . Nay , though we faulty be , and thought and known , And proved so , and see that we are thrown By our apparent errors into straits , From which we cannot get by all our sleights . Yet stil our selves we vaunt and justifie , And struggle , til the snare we faster tye . We sin , and we to boast it have no shame , Yet storm when others do our follies name : And rather then wee wil so much as say We did amiss ( though that might wipe away The stain of all ) I think that some of us So wilful are , so proud , and mischievous , That we our selves , would run , and our Nation , To keep our shadow of a Reputation . Oh! if we are thus head-strong , 't is unlike We any part of our proud failes wil strike Til they have sunk our vessel in the sea , Or by the furious winds are torn away . 'T were better , tho , we did confess our wound , Than hide it til our state grew more unsound . 'T were better we some wealth or office lost , Then keep them , til our lives , and all it cost : And therefore , let us w●ely be advised , Before we by a tempest be surprised . Down first with our top-gallants , and our Flags ; In storms the skilfull●st Pilots make no brags . Let us ( if that be not enough ) let fall Our Misne-yard , and strike our top-sailes all . If this we find be not enough to do , Strike Fore-saile , Sprit-saile , yea and Mainsaile too . And , rather then our Ship should sink or rend : Let 's over-board , goods , mast , and tanckling send . Save but the Hul the Master , and the men ; And we may live to scour the seas agen . Believe it England , howsoever some Who should foresee thy plagues before they come , Endeavour to perswade thee that thou hast A hopeful time , and that the worst is past . Yet , I dare boldly tel thee , thou hast nigh Worn out Gods patience by impiety . And that unless the same we do renue By penitence our folly we shall rue . But what am I , that me thou should'st believe ? Or unto what I tel , credit give ? It may be this adultrous Generation Expecteth tokens of her desolation ; And therefore I wil give them signes of that Which they are now almost arrived at . Nor signes , so mysticall as most of those Which did the ruine of the Jews disclose ; But sings as evident as are the day . For know ye Britaines , that what God did say Ierusalems destruction should foreshew , He spake to ev'ry State that should ensue . And that he nought of her or to her spake , For hers alone , but also for our sake . One sign that Gods long-suffering we have tyred , And that his patience is almost expired , Is that , that many judgments he hath sent , And stil remov'd them e're we did repent . For God ( ev'n by his holiness ) did sweare , ( Saith Amos ) such a Nation he wil tear With bryars , and with Fish-hooks rend away The whole posterity of such as they . Clean teeth ( saith God ) I gave them ; and with bread In many places , them I scantly fed ; And yet they sought me not : then I restrained The dews of heaven , upon this field I rained , And not on that ; yea , to one City came Some two or three , to quench their thirsty flame ; Yet to return to me no care they took ; With blastings then , and Meldews I them strook ; And mixt amongst their fruits the Palmer-worme Yet they their lives did not a jot reform , Then did I send the Pestilence ( said he ) Devoured , by the sword , their young men be ; Their Horse are slain , and up to Heaven ascends Their stink ; yet I discover no amends . The self same things thy God in thee hath done , Oh England ! yet , here follows thereupon So small amendment , that they are a sign To thee ; and their sharp Judgement wil be thine . The second token which doth fore-declare When Cities , States , and Realms , declining are , Ev'n Christ himself hath left us : for , ( saith he ) VVhen Desolation shall approaching be , Of wars , and warlike rumors ye shal hear ; Rare signes and tokens wil in heaven appear ; Down from the Firm ament the stars shall fall ; The hearts of many men , then , sail them shall ; There wil be many scandals and offences ; Great Earthquakes , Schismes , Dearths , and Pestilences , Realm , Realm , and Nation , Nation , shall oppose ; The nearest friends shal be the greatest soes , Against the Church shal many tyranniz● ; Deceivers , and false Prophets , shal arise ; In ev'ry place shal wickedness abound ; Tnd charity shal very cold be found . This Christ himself did Prophecy : and we Are doubtless blind , unless confest it be , That at this hour , upon this Kingdome here , These marks of desolation viewed are . How often have we seen prodigious lights , O' respread the face of heav'n in moonless nights ? How many dreadfull Meteors , have there been In this our Climate , lately heard and seen ? Who knoweth not that but a while ago A great Eclipse did threat , if not foreshow Gods Judgements ? In what age , to fore did hear So many , who did Saints and Scars appear , Fall ( as it were ) from heav'n ? Or who hath heard Of greater eathquakes , than hath lately scar'd These quarters of the world ? How oft , the touch , Of famine have we had ? But , when so much Devoured by the Pestilence were we , As in this present year our folks shall be , Of wars , and martial rumors , never more Were heard within these confines heretofore ; When were all Kingdomes , and all Nations through The world , so opposite as they are now ? I 've been in no Countrey , whether nigh or far , But is engag'd or threatned with some war . All places , either present woes bewaile ; Or else things feared make mens hearts to faile . False Prophets , and Deceivers we have many ; We scarcely find integrity in any : The name of Christ begins in ev'ry place To suffer persecution and disgrace ; And we the greatest jeopardies are in , Among our neighbors , and our nearest kin , Strange heresies do ev'ry where encrease , Disturbing Sion , and exiling peace . Impiety doth multiply . True love Grows cold . And if these tokens do not prove Our fall draws on , unless we do amend ? I know not when our folly shall have end . A third apparent sign which doth declare VVhen some devouring plague approacheth neer , Is when a Nation doth anew begin To let Idolatry to enter in : And openly or secretly give place To heresie where truth establisht was : Or , when like Ieroboam to possess An outward profit , or a temporal peace , They either change Religions , or devise A worship which doth mix Idolatries With truth . For this , ev'n for this very crime , The King of Ashur , in Hosea's time Led Isr'el captive . And , both from the sight Of God , and from the house ef David quite They were cut off forever , and did neither Serve God nor Idols ; but ev'n both together ; In such a mixt Religion as is that Which some among us , now have aimed at . Mark England , and I prethee mark it well , If this offence which ruin'd Israel , On thee appear not : and if so it be , Amend , or look for what it threatens thee . The fourth true token , which doth fore-express The ruine of a Land for wickedness , Is when the Priests and Magistrates begin , To grow extremely impudent in sin . This Sign the Prophet Micah giveth us ; And he ( not I ) to you cries loudly thus : Heare , O ye house of Iacob , and all yee That Princes of the house of Israel bee : Ye Iustice hate , and ye pervert what 's good ; Ye build the walls of Sion up with blood ; Ierusalem with sin , ye up have rear'd , Your Iudges pass their censures for reward ; Your Priests do preach for hire , your Prophets do Like them ; and prophecy for money too . And , for this cause shall Sion mount ( saith he ) Ev'n like a plowed field become to be ; And like a Forrest hill where bushes grow , The Citie of Ierusalem shall show . Change but the names , oh Britain ! and that token Of desolation unto thee is spoken . For , what this day thy Priests and Prophets are , Their actions and the peoples cries declare . A fifth sure evidence , that the cause , for which God among Thy ruins wil entomb thy fame ere long ( If thou repent not ) is this , that thou Dost ev'ry day the more ungodly grow , By how much more the blessed means of grace Doth multiply it self in ev'ry place . God sends unto thee many learned Preachers Apostles , Pastors , and all kind of teachers ; His Visions and his Prophecies upon thee He multiplies : and ( that he might have won thee To more sincerity ) on all occasions By counsel , by entreaty , and perswasions , He hath advis'd , assured and besought thee , With precept upon precept he hath taught thee ; By line on line , by miracle , by reason , In ev'ry place , in season , out of season ; By little and by little , and by much Sometime at once : Yet is thy nature such , That still thou waxest worse ; and in the room Of pleasant Grapes , more thistles daily come : And thou that art so haughty , and so proud , For this , shalt vanish like an empty cloud ; And , as a Lion , Leopard , or a Beare , Thy God , for this , shall thee in pieces teare . If thou suppose my muse did this devise , Go take it from Hosea's prophesies . The six undoubted signal when the last Good days of sinful Realms are almost past , Is when the people neer to God shal draw In word , to make profession of his Law : And by their tongues his praises forth declare ! Yet in their hearts from him continue far . To such a Land , their destiny displayes Isajah : for even thus the Prophet sayes : God wil produce a marvel in that state And do a work that men shall wonder at ; The wisdome of their wisest Counseller , Shal perish , and their prudent men shal erre . On their deep Counsels , sorrow shal attend ; Their secret plots shal have a dismall end ; Their giddy projects which they have devised , Shal as the Potters Clay be quite dispised . Like Carmel , Lebanon , shal seem , and he Like Lebanon , shal make mount Carmel be . Their pleasant Fields like desarts shal appear ; And there shal Gardens be , where desarts are . God keep ( thou Brittish Ile ) this plague from thee For signes thereof upon thy body be . Thou of the purest worship mak'st profession ; Yet , waxest more impure in thy condition . Thou boastest of the knowledge of Gods word , Yet thereunto in manners to accord Thou dost refuse . Thou makest protestation Of pietie ; yet hatest reformation . Yea when when thy tongue doth sing of praise divine , Thy heart doth plot some temporall designe . And some of those , who in this wise are Holy , Begin to shew their wisdome wil be folly . For when from sight their snares they deepest hide , By God almightles eyes they are espy'd . The seventh symptome of a dreadful blow , If not of a perpetual overthrow , Is when a slumbring spirit doth surprize A Nation , and hath closed up their eys : Or when the Prophets and the Seers are So clouded , that plain truths do not appear : Or when the Visions evidently seen Are passed by , as if they had not been : Or when to Nations who can read , God gives His Book● ; and thereof doth unseal the leafes , And bids them read the same , which they to do Deny , or plead unableness thereto . Black signes are these . For if that book to them , Stil dark ; or as a Book unsealed seem ; Or , if they heed no more what here is said , Then they that have the Book and cannot read ; The Iudgements last repeated , are the doom , That shall on such a stupid Nation come . This signe is come on us , for , lo , unsealed Gods Book is now amongst us , and revealed Are all the Mysteries which do concern The children of this present age to learn . So wel hath hath he instructed this our Land , That we not only read , but understand The secrets of his Word . The Prophesies Of his chiefe Seers , are before our eyes , Unveiled : true interpretations Are made , and many proper applications Ev'n to our selves , yet is our heart so blind , That what we know and see we do not mind . We hear and speak , and much adoe we keep , But we as senseless are as men asleep . What then we do . Yea , while that we are talking . What snares are in the way where we are walking , We heed not what we say , but pass along ; And , many times , are fast insnar'd among Those mischiefs , and those faults we did condemn , Before our tongues have lost to mention them . For our neglect of God in former times , ( Or for some present unrepented crimes ) A slumbring Spirit so possesseth us , That our estate is wondrous dangerous . We see and hear , and tel to one another Our perils , yet we headlong hast together To wilful ruine , and are grown so mad , That when our friends a better course perswade , Or seek to stop us ( when they see we run That way in which we cannot ruine shun ) We persecute those men with all our soul , That we may damn our selves without controul . The eight plain sign , by which I understand That some devouring mischiefs are at hand , Is that maliciousness which I do see Among professors of one Faith to be . We have but one Father and one Mother , Do persecute and torture one another . So hotly we oppose not antichrist , As we our fellow Brethren do resist . The Protestant , the Protestant defies ; And we our selves , our selves do scandalize . Our Church we have exposed to more scorn ; And her fair seamless Vestment rent , and torn , By our own fury , more than by their spight Who are to us directly opposite , To save an apple we the tree destroy , And quarrels make for ev'ry needless toy , From us if any brother differ shall But in a crotchet , we upon him fall As eagerly , and with as bitter hate , As if we knew him for a Reprobate . And what ever all this doth signifie , Saint Paul ( by way of caveat ) doth imply . Take heed ( saith he ) lest while ye bite each other , You of your selves , consumed be together . Another sign , which causeth me to fear , That our confusion is approaching neer , Are those divisions , which I have espide In Church and Common-wealth , this present tide . We cannot hide these rents ; for they do gape So wide , that some their jaws can hardly scape . Would God , the way to close them up we knew , Else what they threaten time wil shortly shew ; For , all men know , a City or a Land , VVithin it self divided , cannot stand . The last black Signe that here I wil repeat , ( VVhich doth to Kingdomes desolation threat ) Is when the hand of God almighty brings ; The People into bondage to their Kings . I say , when their own Judges shall take delight , Those whom he should protect , to rob , and smite . When they who fed the Sheep , the Sheep shal kil , And eat them ; and suppose they do il . When God gives up a Nation unto those That are their neighbors , that they may , as foes , Devour them . When ( Oh England ! ) thou shalt see This come to pass , a sign it is to thee That God is angry , and a certain token That into pieces thou shalt quite be broken : If not by forraine strength : by force at home ; And that thy greater torment wil become . This vengeance , and this fearful preparation , Of bringing ruine on a sinful nation , If they remain impenitentent the Lord Doth menace ; and by Zachary record , To make us wise . Oh! let us therefore learn , What now is comming on us to discern . For , ( wel considered , if all things were ) From this captivity , we seem not far . It now already seems to be projected ; Nay , little wants of being quite effected . But , if God should from us , as God forbid , Take him , as once he good Iosiah did , He also wil ( unless we mend ) perchance , In times to come , a Shepheard here advance , Who shal not plead for what his Young men say Is just ; but take the same , perforce , away . An Idol Shepheard , who shal neither care To find or seek for those that starved are ; Nor guard the Lambs ; nor cure what hath a wound ; Nor cherish those that firm to him are found ; But take the fat , and rob them of their fleeces And eat their flesh , and break their bones in pieces . More signes I might , as yet , commemorate , To shew Gods patience is nigh out of date . But these are signes enough , and so apparent , That twenty more wil give no better warrant To what I speak . Yet , if these false appear , That 's one signe more , our fall approacheth neere . Be mindful , therefore , while it is to Day ; And let no good occasion slip away . Now rend your hearts , ye Britaines , wash & rinse them From all corruption , from all evil clense them . Go offer up the pleasing sacrifice Of Righteousness , from folly turn your eyes , Seek peace , and follow it , with strict pursuit : Relieve the needy , Judgment execute ; Refresh the weary , right the fatherless : The strangers , and the widows wants redress : Give praise to God , depend with lowly faith , On him , and what is holy Spirit faith : Remember what a price thy ransome cost ; And now redeme the time that thou hast lost . Return , return thou ( oh back-sliding Nation ) And let thy tears prevent thy desolation . As yet , thou maist return : for , Gods embrace Is open for thee , if thou hast the grace , To give it meeting . Yet , repentance may Prevent the mischiefs of that evil day , Which here is menac'd : yet , thou maist have peace , And by discreet endeavouring , encrease Each outward grace , and ev'ry inward thing , Which wil additions to thy comfort bring . If this thou do ; these fearful threatnings all , ( Repeated here ) to mercies change he shall . We cannot fay , it wil excuse thee from All chastisement , or that no blow shall come . For , peradventure , thou so long hast bin Unpenitent , that some loud crying sin Hath wak'd that Vengeance , which upon thy crimes Must fall ( as once in Ieremiahs times ) VVithout prevention ; to exemplifie Gods hate of sin to all posterity . But , sure we are , that if he doth not stay His threatned hand , the stroke that he doth lay VVil fall the lighter ; and become a blessing , Thy future joyes , and vertues more encreasing , Than all that large prosperity and rest . VVhich thou , so long together hast possest . God ( with a writers Ink-horn ) one hath sent , To set a mark on them that shal repent ; And bids him promise in his Name , that they VVho shall , recanting , leave their evil way , And in their hearts , bewaile the grievous crimes , And miseries of Sion , in their times . That they shal be secure and saved from The hand of these destroyers which must come : Or else by their destruction find a way To that repairing which wil ne're decay . Yea , thou , oh Britaine ! if thou couldst reform Thy manners , might●st expel the dreadful storm Now threatned ; and thy foes ( who triumph would The ruine of thy glory to behold , And jeere thee when thou fallest ) soon shal see Thy God returning and avenging thee On their insultings : yea , with angry blows He would effect their shameful overthrows . Or turn their hearts . For when from sin men cease , God makes their enemies and them at peace . Moreover thou shalt have in thy possessing , Each inward grace , and ev'ry outward blessing ; Thy fruitful Herds shal in rich pastures feed ; Thy soyle shall plenteously encrease thy seed ; Thy Flock , shal neither Shepheards want , nor meat ; Clean provander , thy stabled beast shal eat ; There shall be Rivers in thy Dales , and Fountains Upon the tops of all thy noblest Mountains : The Moon shal cast upon thee beams as bright As now the Sun , and with a seven fold light The Sun shal bless thee . He that Rules in thee , To all his people reconcil'd shal be ; And they shal find themselves no whit deceived , In those good hopes which are of him conceived ; But he , ( and they , who shall his throne possess When he is gone ) shal reign in righteousness ; And be more careful of thy weal by far , Than Parents of their childrens profits are : Thy Magistrates , with wisdome shall proceed In all that shall be counsell'd or decreed . As Harbours , when it blows tempestuously ; As Rivers into places over-dry ; As Shadows are to men opprest with heat ; As to a hungry Stomack wholsome meat ; To thee so welcom , and as much contenting , Thy Nobles wil becom , on thy repenting . Thy Priests shal preach true doctrines in thy temples , And make it fruitful by their good examples . Thy God with righteousness shal them array , And hear and answer them , when they do pray . Thy eyes that yet are blinded , shal be clear ; Thy ears , that then are deafned , then shal hear ; Thy tongue , that stammers now , shal then speak plain ; Thy heart shal perfect understanding gain ; The preaching of the Gospel shal encrease ; Thy God shal make thy comforts and thy peace , To flow as doth a River ; they who plant , The blessing of their labor shal not want ; Thy poorest people shal at ful be fed ; The meek shal of no tyrant stand in dread ; Thou shalt have grace and knowledg , to avoid Those things whereby the rest may be annoid ; Thou shalt possess thy wished blessings all ; And God shal hear the stil before thou call . But as a Chime , whose frets disordered grow , Can never cause it self in tune to go , Nor chime at all , until some cunning hand Doth make the same again in order stand : Or , as the Clock , whose plummets are not weight , Strikes sometimes one for three , and six for eight ; So fareth it with men and kingdomes all , When once from their integrity they fall . They may their motion hurry out of frame , But have no power to rectifie the same . That curious hand which first those pieces wrought , Must mend them stil , or they wil stil be nought . To thee I therefore now my speech convert , Thou Famous Artist , who Creator art Of heav'n and earth , and of those goodly spheares , That now have whirled many thousand yeeres . ( And shall until thy pleasure gives it ending ) In their perpetual motion without mending . Oh! be thou pleased , by thy pow'rful hand , To set in order this depraved Land . Our whole foundation , Lord , is out of course ; And ev'ry thing stil groweth worse and worse , The way that leads quite from thee , we have tooke Thy Covenant , and all thy Lawes are broke ; In mischiefs , and in folly , is our pleasure ; Our crying sins have almost fill'd their measure ; Yet , ev'ry day we had a new transgression And stil abuse thy favour and compassion . Our governour , our Prelates , and our Nobles , Have by their sins encrease , encreast our trouble . Our Priests , and all the people , have misgone ; All kind of evil deeds , we all have done . VVe have not lived as those means of grace Require , which thou hast granted lo this place : But rather worse than many who have had Less helps than we , of being better made . No Nation under heav'n so lew'd hath bin , That had so many warnings for their sin , And such perpetuall callings on , as we , To leave our wickedness , and turn to thee . Yet , we in stead of turning , furthe went ; And when thy Mercies and thy Plagues were sent To pul us back ; they seldome wrought our fray , Or moved to repentance one whole day . No blessing , no affliction , hath a power , To move compunction in us , for one hour , Unless thou work it . All that I can speak And all that I have spoken , til thou breake And mollifie the heart , wil fruitless be , Not onely in my hearers , but in me . If thou prepare not way for more esteeme , All these Remembrances , wil foolish seeme , Nay these , in stead of moving to repent , VVil indignation move , and discontent ; Which wil mens hardned hearts obdurate more , And make their fault much greater then before . Unless thou give a blessing , I may strive As wel to make a marble stone alive , As to effect my purpose : yea , all this , Like wholsome counsel to a mad man is , And I for my good meaning shall be torn In pieces , or exposed be to scorn . For they against thy word do stop their ear , And wild in disobedience , wil not hear . In this , we all confess our selves to blame , And that we therefore have deserved shame . Yea Lord , we do acknowledg● , that for this , There nothing else to us pertaining is , ( Respecting our own worth ) but desolation , And finall rooting out , without compassion . But gracious God , though such our merit be , Yet mercy stil pertaineth unto thee . To thee the act of pard'ning and forgiving , ] As much belongs ( oh Father everliving ) As plagues to us : and it were better far Our sins had less than their deservings are , Then that thy Clemency should be out-gone ; By all the wickedness that can be done . As wel as theirs whose lives now left them have , Thou canst command those bodies from the grave , Who stink , and putrifie , and buryed be In their corruption . Such , oh Sord ! are we , Oh! call us from this grave , and shew thy pow'r Upon this much polluted Land of our , Forgive us all our slips , our negligences , Our sins of knowledge , and our ignorances ; Our daring wickedness ; our bloody crimes , And all the faults of past and present times . Permit not thy just wrath to burn for ever ; In thy displeasure do not stil persever , But call us from that pit of Death , and Sin , And from that path of Hel which we are in . Remember , that this Vinyard hath a Vine , VVhich had her planting by that hand of thine , Remember , when from Egypt thou remov'dst it , VVith what entire affection , then , thou lov'dst it . How thou didst weed and dress it heretofore , How thou didst fence it from the Forrest Bore , And think how sweet a vintage then it brought , VVhen thy first work upon them thou had'st wrought . Remember , that without thy daily care , The choicest plants , soon wild and fruitless are , And that as long as thou dost prune and dress , The sowrest Vine shal bring a sweet encrease . Remember , also Lord , how stil that I oe , VVho first pursued us , doth seek to sow His tares among thy wheat ; and to his pow'r , Break down thy fence , and trample and devour The seeds of grace , as soon as they do sprout ; And is too strong for us to keep him out . Oh! let not him prevail , such harm to do us , As he desires , but Lord , return unto us . Return in mercy : though thou find us slack To come our selves , fetch , draw , and pul us back From our own courses , by thy grace divine , And set , and keep us , in each way of thine . Vouchsafe that every one in his degree , The secret error of his life may see , And in his lawful calling all his dayes , Perform his Christian duty to thy praise . Give peace this troublous age ; for perillous The times are grown , and no man fights for us But thou , oh God! nor do we seek or crave That any other Champion we may have . Nay , give us troubles , if thy wil be so , That we may have thy strength to bear them too ; And in affliction thee more glorifie , Then here heretofore in our prosperity . For when thy countenance on us did shine , Those Lands that boasted of their corn and wine , Had not that joy which thou didst then inspire , VVhen we were boyld and fryde in blood and fire . Oh! give us again that joy , although it cost us Our lives . Restore thou what our sin hath lost us , Thy Church in these Dominions . Lord preserve In purity : and teach us thee to serve In holiness and righteousness , until VVe shal the number of our dayes fulfil , Defend these Nations from all overthrows , By forraign enemies , or home-bred foes . Our State with ev'ry grace and vertue bless , VVhich may thine honor and its own increase . Inflame our Nobles with more love and zeal , To thy true Spouse , and to his Commonweale , Inspire our Clergy in their several places , VVith knowledge , and all sanctifying graces ; That by their lives and Doctrines they may rear Those parts of Sion which decayed are . Awake this People give them souls that may Believe thy VVord , and thy commands obey . The plagues deserv'd already , save them from . More watchful make them , in all times to come . For blessings past , let hearty thanks be given . For present ones , let sacrifice to heav'n Be daily offered up . For what is needing ( Or may be useful in the time succeding ) Let faithful Prayers to thy throne be sent , With heart and hands upright and innocent : And let all this the better furthered be , Through these Remembrances now brought by me . For which high favour , and imboldning thus My spirit , in a time so dangerous ; For chusing me , that am so despicable , To be imployed in this honorable And great imployment ( which I more esteem , Than to be crowned with a Diadem ) For thy enabling me in this Embassage ; For bringing to conclusion this my Message ; For sparing of my life , when thousands dy'd , Before , behind me , and on ev'ry side ; For saving of me many a time since then , VVhen I had forfeited my soul agen ; For all those griefs and poverties , by which I am in better things made great , and rich , Then all that wealth and honor brings man to , Wherewith the world doth keep so much ado : For all which thou to me on earth hast given ; For all , which doth concern my hopes of heaven ; For these and those innumerable graces , Vouchsafed me at , at sundry times and places , Unthought upon , unfeigned praise I render : Lnd for a living sacrifice I tender To thee ( oh God ) my body , soul , and all , Which mine I may , by thy donation , call . Accept it blessed Maker , for his sake Who did this offring acceptable make By giving up himself . Oh! look thou not Upon those blemishes which I have got By naturall corruption ; or by those Polluted acts which from that ulcer flows , According to my skill , I have enroll'd Thy Mercies ; and thy Justice I have told . I have not hid thy workings in my brest ; But as I could , their pow'r I have exprest . Among our great assemblies , to declare Thy wil and pleasure , lo , I do not fear : And though by Princes I am checkt and blamed ; To speak the truth , I am no whit ashamed . Oh! shew thou , Lord , thy mercy so to me , And let thy love and truth , my guardians be . Forgive me all the follies of my youth ; My faulty deeds ; the errors of my mouth ; The wandrings of my heart , and ev'ry one Of those good works that I have left undone . Forgive me all wherein I did amiss , Since thou employd'st me in performing this : My doubting of thy calling me unto it , My fears , which oft disheartned me to do it ; My sloth , my negligences , my evasions , And my deferring it , on vain occasions , VVhen I had vowed that no work of mine , Should take me up , til I had finisht thine . Lord , pardone this ; and let no future sin , Nor what already hath committed bin , Prophane this Work , or cause the same to be The lesse effectual to this Land , or me . But to my self ( Oh Lord ) and others , let it So moving be , that we may ne're forget it . Let not the evil , nor the good effect It takes , or puff me up , or me deject : Or make me think that I the better am , Because I tel how others are to blame : But let it keep me in a Christian fear , Stil humbly heedful what my actions are . Let all those observations I have had , Of others errors , be occasion made To minde me of mine own . And lest I erre , Let ev'ry man be my Remembrancer ; With so much charity , as I have sought To bring their duties more into our thought . And if in any sin I linger long , Without repentance ; Lord , let ev'ry tongue That names me , check me for it : and to me Become , what I to others fain would be . Oh! Let me not be like those busie brooms , Which having cleansed many nasty rooms , Do make themselves the fouler : but sweet Father , Let me be like the precious Diamond rather , Which doth by polishing another stone , The better shape and lustre , set upon His own rough body . Let my life be such , As that mans ought to be , who knoweth much Of thy good pleasure . And most awful God , Let none of those who spread of me abroad Unjust reports , the Devils purpose gain , By making these my warnings prove in vain To those that heare them , but let such disgaces Reflect with shame , upon their authors faces , Til they repent . And let their scandall serve Within my heart true meekness to preserve ; And that humility which else perchance , Vain-glory , or some naturall arrogance Might overthrow , if I should think upon With carnal thoughts , some good my lines have done . Restrain , moreover , them who out of pride , Or ignorance , this Labour shal deride . Make them perceive who , shal prefer a story , Composed for some temporall friends glory , Before those Poems which thy works declare , That vain and witless their opinions are ; And if by thee I was appointed Lord , Thy judgements and thy merc●es to record , As here I do , set thou thy mark on those , Who shal despitefully the same oppose : And let it pulikely be seen of all , Til of their malice they repent them shall . As I my conscience have discharged here , Without concealing ought for love , or fear ; From furious men let me preserved be , And from the scorn of ●ools deliver ●e Vouchsafe at length some comforting reflection , According to the years of my affliction . On me , for good , some token please to show , That they who see it , may thy bounty know ; Rejoyce , with fellow-feeling of the same , And joyne with me , in praising of thy Name . And least ( oh Lord ! ) some weak ones may despise My words because of such necessities As they have brought upon me , by their spight , Who to my studies have bin opposite ; Oh! give me that , which may sufficient be To make them know , that I have served thee ; And that my labours are to be regarded , Although they seem not outwardly rewarded . These honours , or thar wealth I do not crave , Which they affect , who most endeavoured have To please the world ; I only ask to gain But food and rayment , Lord , for all my pains , And that the slanders and the poverties Wherewith my patience thou shalt exercise , Make not these Lines , or me become a scorn , Nor leave me to the world-ward quite forlorn . Yet in preferring of this humble suit , I make not my request so absolute As that I wil capitulate , or tye To such conditions , thy dread Majesty ; For if to honour but an earthly prince , My Muse had sung , it had been impudence To prompt his bounty ; or to doubt he might Forget to do my honest Labours right . Do therefore as thou pleasest : only give Thy servant grace , contentedly to live , And to be thankfull whatsoever shall In this my weary Pilgrimage befall , Such things thou dost command me to require With earnest , and an absolute desire With which I come : beseeching I may find Thy love coutinue , though none else be kind That blessedness eternall I may get , Though all I loose on earth to compass it , And that at last when my account is even , My payment may be summon'd up in heaven : Lord , this wil please me , call me quickly thither , And pay me there my wages altogether ; Not that which mine by merit seemes to be , But that which by thy meere grace is due to me . A Coelestial VISION Of Future EVENTS . TH' Armi-potent , all-seeing , all-Creator , Th' all-mighty Artizan of Earths Thearer , Having inclos'd in his un-clapsed book . When heaven and earth their first foundation tooke , And therein registred this firm Conclusion , An Universall end , and all-Confusion Of all the world , which when once discreated , Should be refin'd , renew'd and re-created , This great Decree wil doubtless ratifie , And for th' elects sake , doe 't more speedily , As Sybels , Prophets , and Apostles wise , Yea , Christ himself did truly Prophetize . Then pallid Death , whose ash-pale face did fright The stoutest Champion , most un-daunted Sprite , Having at length with strength enough displaid , His all-tryumphant trophies , having made A massacre and havock of all flesh , Thinking to Nimrodize it stil afresh , Like proud disdainfull Pompey at the last Shall meet our Caesar , and at 's feet shall cast The glory of his Mortall-wounding might , Shal lose his fatall sting which did so bite And pierce the Heart of every mortall creature , T' reduce to dust each wormlings dusty feature . Death being then Mans fatall final fo , Him , Christ victoriously shall overthrow , From forth his claws shal strongly wrest the conquest , And fel all-felling Death at 's feet thus vanquisht , But as the Corner-creeping thiefe doth watch With sure advantage unawares to catch , The careless Servants left the House to keep , VVhom when he findeth snorting fast asleep , Suddainly sets upon them , thus doth prey On 's hop't-for Booty , and then hasts away . Or as it fares in a faire Summer morning , VVhen the Great Light the azure skie's adorning , And new-now risen from th' Antipodes , His radient rayes displaies the world to please : At whose sweet sight the pretty Lark doth rise , VVith warbling noats wav'ring i' th lofty Skies , Earth having op't her Shop of sweet perfumes Of fragrant flowres , herbs , plants , and pleasant blooms ; T● gentle wind fans coolness through the ayre , The Suns encreasing heat thus to impare ; Each Creature much delighted at the heart , To see this sight ; now ready to take part Of pleasure , in this pleasant day begun , VVhen as upon a sudden , o're the Sun A mighty rain-swolne-cloud begins to spred ; And furious winds through th' ayre are nimbly fled From forth their Stations , blustring up and down , The angry Heavens upon the earth'gin frown And from their Spouts powre down great streaming showers , Dashing and washing trees , plants , herbs and Flowers , VVith light-heeld lightning , and such Cannon-thunder , As Heaven and Earth were reft and cleft in sunder , Damping the former hope of sweet delight , By this so sudden change amazing sight ; Even so this second comming of Christ Jesus From sins most heavy hateful Yoke to ease us , To purge the world of its impurity , To Plague the Quakers incredulity , T' avenge the blood of his dear slaughtered Saints , To give an end to their sad sighs and plaints , Shall sudden be , wil come at unawares , When worldly men are plung'd in worldly Cares , When lustfull men are most a sensuallizing , VVhen fawning Gnathoes most are Temporizing , VVhen as voluptuous-vain-lings sport and play , VVhen they do least expect , suspect this day , Then shall this unsure-certain dooms-day come , To some most welcome , wofull unto some , Unto the wicked terrible and fearful , Unto the godly comfortable and chearful , Unto the Hectors a day of lamentation , Unto the Quozils , a day of consolation , Sharp to the wicked , joyful to the just , Gods wrath the sinner scattering as the dust , Then as i th' dayes of Noe , with wondrous change Shall dire destruction int'all places range . As that , with waters woful inundation : So , this , with fires all-spoyling conflagration . As , that , with water , cold the heat of sin , Wherewith the world had then inflamed bin : So this , with fire to burn the rotten sticks , Of want of Love ( combustible dry kicks ) Our Globy-Gran-dame Earth , shall then all flame , Like a huge bonefire , and about the same The bound-less , groundless , sea , bright Fishes Station , Shal be exciccated with strange admiration : And that great-little , nimble scale-arm'd hoast , Eo longer shal through the watry region . Yea , then that huge Leviathan ( seas wonder ) Shal cease his sport , and roaring voice like thunder . Then heaven and earth , shal variated be , To pure perfection in the highest degrees ; Then all the Sphears , the Stars , and heavenly motions , Which serv●d for time-distinctions , certain notions , Planets and Plants , which man on earth did use , Their power in man and vertue then shal lose . Yea , all vicissitudes , all alternations of heav●n and earth ; shal leave their antique stations , Shal be dissolved , cease , and have an end , Mountains shal melt , and to low Dales descend . The Creatures then , which groan and moan in pain , Freed at the least , if not renewd again ; Then shal be heard a loud heart-daunting voice A heavenly trump shall sound with ecchoing noise By Gods all-potent power and providence , Shall all flesh of this vast circumference Hear and appear by that loud trumpets summon , At this Grand-sessions all the world in common . Then ratling , roaring thunder shal be heard , Whereby the wicked shal be frighted , feard , Then all the world shal be as flaming fire , Christ our Iust-gentle Judge with love and ire Shal come with all the hoast of winged Legions , Soaring about the bright-star spangled Regions . With whom apostles , Prophets , Martyrs flye In compleat glory in the glistring Skye . Mercy and Justice marching cheek by jowle Shal his divine triumphant Chariot rowle , Whose wheels shal shine with Lightning all about , With beams of glory each-where blazing out . Who shall in 's hand a book in folio bear , Wherein mans faults and follies written were . Then shal the wicked sin-polluted Goats Ingulft in sorrow , roar with hideous noats , Howle , groan , and grieve , and lamentably moan At Gods supernall and tribunall throne , Holding their hands at 's Barre with grief and horror ; Shall hear the Judges sentence to their terrour , Their self-accusing conscience telling them That they are Guilty , and wil them condemn . And Satans Sergeants at their elbowes stand , To bear their souls and bodies out of hand To his infernal-Jayle , with fiery chains To bind them fast to hels nere ending paint . Their sin , I say , wil stand at their right hand , And at their lest wil damned divils stand : VVithin , th accusing conscience crying shame , VVithout them , all the world a burning flame : Under their feet , soul frying , gaping hel , And ore their heads , their Judge most fierce and fel . Too late they then weep for un-wept-for sin , Too late they wish they never born had been , Too late ashamed at Heav'ns most glorious Light , They wish , but vainly wish , that mountains might Them cover , smother , from heart-searching Judge , Thus rest of comfort , up and down they trudge . And then the just-chiefe-Justice wrathfully , On 's left hand , sayes to the wicked , Stand you by , You awless , lawless , wicked , hence , depart Into eternall terrour , pain , and smart , Depart , I say , you cursed , go , begon Into the depth of hels deep dungeon . That Prison where your damned souls must lye , And dye a thousand deaths , yet never dye . Where shall be weaping , walling , schreeks and groans , Gnashing of teeth , hel-howling , sighs and moans , Divels tormenting you in flames eternal , With fearfull frights , by hellish Fiends infernall , For ereta be sequestred from all joy . In endless , restless , mercy less annoy . O woful wages , for their works of sin ! O how much better they ne're born had bin ! O that when they were born , they then had dyde , Then thus for sin , hels horrors to abide ! But as we see after a mighty storm , The sun shines out with beams bright , fair and warm : So the God-fearing , and sin-flying sheep , VVhich did Christs Laws and Heasts sincerely keep , VVhich his distressed Members cloath'd and fed , VVhich to their power the poore had comforted , To these blest saints , I say , at s right hand placed , VVho shall be with Caelestiall glory-graced , VVhom he elected in be angelized , VVhose souls in joy shall be immortallized ; VVith sweet aspect to these wil Christ thus say , Come , come you blessed of the Lord for aye . Come , near adopted brethren , come to mee , VVith me you all shall glorified be , Receive the Kingdome for you all prepared , Ere Earths foundation was to the Earth declared . For your good service under my faiths banner , You shall be crown'd with my chiefe champions honor . Since for my sake you once liv'd in annoy : Now with me come into your Masters joy , Into that joy , whereof none shall be able You to deprive , it is so firm and stable . Thus then the Lord-chiefe-Justice having driven The rout of damned Reprobates from Heaven , And having with the Fan of his Decree , The chaff from Wheat thus clensed and made free , Thus in a bundle having bound the tares , The con-corrupted heap of hellish wares : And by the power of 's ireful Iron rod , His Foes beat down and under foot thus trod : His Church from all uncleanness purifide , His sacred sons enthronized sanctifide : Now shall they all with joy inexplicable , With great content , and comfort amiable , Behold and see the New-Jerusalem : The Citie of the Lord , vouchsaft to them . That sole Metropolis , that sacred seat , VVherein our trine-one Lord most good , most great Had long time promis'd , and now means to dwel , VVith all his Saints in vertue that excel . This being that sweet spouse spirituall , That blotless , spotless Bride coelestiall , To whom the Lamb Christ Jesus is contracted : Now ready that the Nuptialls be enacted . VVho being in her Militant estate , Was then with blemishes contaminate , Was often sin-sick , by her sinful course , And as it were in danger of devorce ; By re-re-lapses and her oft offence , Though stil protected by heavens indulgence . But now being in her pure and glorious state , In heav'n triumphant , un-contaminate , Conform'd unto , confirmd in puritie All-chast , now plac't in sweet security , Now undivorceable , lovely and sweet , Is new , prepar'd her bridegroom thus to meet . Her eyes like Orient-Pearls , her cheeks with dimples : Most amiable , fair , free of least Pimples . Her lips like threds of scarlet , coral red , Her temples faire , her hair like golden thred . Her breath more savourie then mellifluous dew , Her brests like two young Twin-Roes white of hiew , Arayed in fine pure linnen , clean and white , In Vestures wrought with Gold which glister bright , And cast an odor ferous fragrant sent , Or Sp●kenard , Saffro● , and most pure ointment , Attended on by Virgins vertuous , chast , To meet her Bridegroom , thus she forth doth hast . Oh sacred sight , sweet shew , souls soveraign bliss , When thus the Bridegroom his dear spouse shall kiss , Mariage of Manna and of M● compacted , Whereby our souls with Christ are aye compacted , Prefigur'd in the sacred Sacrament Of Christs last supper , given to this intent . Thus Christ ( I say ) his love , his dove shall meet , Thus they each other kindly then shall greet : Thus shall this glorious City then appear , VVherein the just shal reign with joy and cheer . But now ere we behold this blest Theater , Let me herein be th angels Imitater , T● each Godly Ceder here to signifie This observation , of importancie : That since in this great Cities model rare , VVe are to meet with wonders past compare , VVe shall behold inimitable art , Such as may quickly wonder-strike the heart , And seem to Reason's Sin blear'd , Flesh-blinde Eye , T● exuperate the bounds of Veritie : Therefore a winged Messenger from Heaven . To the blest Evangelist this charge hath given , To register in time concluding scrowles , To write this truth in Scriptures sacred rowles , That Heav'ns all-seeing , all foreseeing King , Truths spotless Fountain , Faiths ore-flowing-spring , That alpha and omega , first and last , Who was , is , shal be , when all times are past , Who is as powerful to perform his wil : As ready-prest his Mercies to fulfil ; Whose Promises are all Yea and Amen : Hath promis'd ( and what 's he among all men Hath ever known the Lord to falsifie His Cov'nant made , or from his word to flie ? ) Hath vow'd ( I say ) that hee 'le all things renew , All imperfections bring to perfect hiew , And make the joy of 's glorified Saint , Endless and free from future moan and plaints . Yea , with such grace and forcible perswasion He seems to countermand all frail evasion Of doubting or demurring in this kind ; As if he should have said ; Man , be not blind ; Let it not seem an intricate hard thing , That I , the Lord , these things to pass should bring , I , which of nothing all things did create , I , which but breath'd , and made each animate , I , the arch-mover of what ere did move , Shall ought to me so difficult then prove , As not my beck , and how stre●ght to obey ? O no , be wise , do not my power gainsay , Be not incredulous to fear or doubt , For I the Lord , this thing wil bring about : Not only for my power , but Promise sake , And the great care which ore my Saints I take . To crown them all , with promised salvation , Their foes to fel to hel with dire damnation ; That true believers then may find me true , Athiests their Infidelity may rue . Yea with a tripple firm ingemination , Hath heaven confirm'd this faithful Protestation . And what so scornfully , scoff●ing Cham so bold ? VVhat impious athiest dares it untrue hold What fearfull , faultfull , or unfaithfull Cain , Doth dare this truth , deride , doubt or disdain ? Doubtless the simplest peevish Grammatist , The rudest rustick , who yet never wist What t is to sound heav'ns depth of prudencie ; Would soon condemn them of absurditie . O the great wisdome and indulgent Grace ! Of heav'ns great King , himselfe so to debase ; Precept on Precept thus to us to teach , His wil so oft t'inculeate and to preach . Line after line , yea now and then a little , Our faith more soundly to confirm and settle . Us to inform in his pure veritie , Us to reform from infidelity . Therefore such faithless and incredulous , Such graceless , godless , irreligious , As do deny or wil bely this truth ; Shall be rejected to their endless ruth ; Shall ne're have part nor portion in this joy , But he obtruded unto ●i● annoy . And their too-light , too-late beliefe shal rue , When they receive their meed and merit due : When with the damned sin-co-operators They shal of wo and horror be partakers . Read then with faith , and what thou readst , desire , And that thou canst not comprehend , admire . But , here as at a stand , I stand amazed , That I a dust-born babe , poor , weak and crazed , Of stammering tongue , a child an understanding , Of heart , oft subject unto sins commanding . Should undertake ( worm that I am ) to pried Into the depth of so great mysterie . That to describe , which asks an angells skil , As Souls which of that sight hath had its fil ; And yet all to● too little , to declare The beauty infinite , the splendor fair Of great Jehovahs Palace Chrystaline , All full of hev'nly glory , all divine ; Which to admire the more I do contend , I more admire , and less do comprehend : And whose rare fabrique and coelestial sight , I rather could stand wondring at , than write . Pardon , oh therefore pardon Lord , I pray , My great presumption , let thy grace alway Illuminate my sin-caecated heart : And to my layes thy sacred help impart . That nought may be mis-done , mis-thought , mis-said , O Lord I crave thy sacred soveraigne ayde . Give me a voice now , O Voice all divine ! With heav'nly fire inspire this brest of mine , And since thou . Lord , art able to declare By th mouthes of babes , which weak and tender are , Thy might and power : Lord ( though unworthy I ) Into my heart infuse aboundantly The so soveraigne graces of thy holy sprite , That my weak Pen , thy wondrous praise may write . That thy Enthusiasme of Prophetick skil , May on my layes like honey sweet distil : That by divine divine Iohns godly guide , I from the truth may not once step aside , But by his true Propheticall direction , May methodize Jerusalems perfection , That all that read it , may enflamed be Wth hearts desire therein to reign with thee , To make great hast and speedy properation , To this blest Citie with due preparation . As God th' ereliving , all good giving King , The first that moves of every moving thing , When unto Moses he vouchsaft to show The Land of Canaan which didoverflo With Milk and honey , which he vow'd to give To Iacobs off-spring , wherein they should live ; On top of Pisgah Mountain did him place , That Moses might from thence behold the grace , The pleasure , wealth , and riches of that land , Which they should have by power of his right hand : Even so the Darling of Christ Jesus , Iohn , Rapt in the Spirit was also plac't , upon A high-topt Mount in Pathmos , whence he might Contemplate this great Cities glorious sight ; A sight more glorious far , than that the Devil That subtil Serpent , fire-brand of evil , Shew'd to our Saviour in his great temptation , When he with Satan fought for our Salvation . Thou wel-beloved of thy Saviour deer , ( Saith a blest angel unto Iohn ) draw neer , With joy come hither , stand a while by me , And thou the heavenly Canaan shalt see . The Churches glorifi'd spirituall State , Thou shalt behold and sweetly contemplate The spotless Spouse , th' immaculate chast Bride , With which the Lamb Christ Jesus wil abide : The joy in God , and godly consolation , Th' elected Saints most holy habitation : Prepared for them by the Trinitie , Where they shall reign , remain eternally , Call'd the great Citie , Holy Canaan : Great , whose inhabitants none number can , Holy , because no putrifacting Sin , Nor least impuritie can there creep in ; Call'd Canaan , or new Jerusalem , A place of peace , Saints rest , Souls Diadem . Now this most holy heavn●ly Habitacle , Was most magnificent Saints receptacle VVith glorie , which did from the Lord proceed , VVhose most refulgent splendour did exceed The lustre of all precious stones most bright , They all come short of this most glorious Light . Yea , as faire transparent Iasper Green , So shall his Saints felicitie be seen For ere to was most fresh and alwaies flourish , Because Gods power and prudence shall it nourish : It being pure as any Crystall clear , VVhereby not blot , not spot can there appear ; No stains of foul terrestriall uncleanness , No gross pollutions or impure obsceanness , Shall this their joy obnub●late make dim , Or once eclipse their beauty , fram'd by him ; Gods gracious presence and great Majestie Shall it so deck , decore and glorifie . Here t is no triviall question , why the Light Of this blest Cities lustre equisite Is to a precious Jasper Stone compared ; Tnd why 't might not have been as wel declared , By th' Sun , or Moon , or Stars most excellent , Or artificiall Lights which men invent ? All these are Lights , true ; but too light they be , Compar'd with Light it self , i' th' highest degree . First , in regard the Suns far piercing rayes , VVith its bright beams the eye-sight much decayes , If the beholder thereon fixtly look , Nor can his sight the brightness thereof brook ; But precious stones have no obnoxious might , But with their splendour rarely do delight The eyes of their beholders , so that they The more on them they look , the more they may . VVhereby , egregiously they intimate And to us point the sweet and delicate Delight we shal in heav'nly knowledge finde , So to affect and recreate the minde , As that the more we thereof do possess , The more our love whereof we shall express . Again the artificial lights men make , As torches , tapers , lamps , and candles , slake ; Are soon burnt out , extinct , and therefore need Some fomentarie adjunct , them to feed : But as for precious Stones , their sparkling light Is genuine , by Nature shineth bright , And glisters in the most obscure dark place , Alwayes retaining their resplendant grace : And therefore do most lively represent The splendor fair , and beauty excellent Of th' ever selfe subsisting Deitie , Alwaies the same , one-same eternity . This citie is inviron'd , bounded round , With a great high-topt wall , thick , strong and sound , Which unto us doth thus much intimate ; That though i' th' Churches Militant esrate , The congregations of Christs faithful Saints Were stil molested , ful of wofull plaint , Tost to and fro with storms Tyrannicall , With persecutions most satanicall , And like Noes-ark were ne're in peace or rest , With worldly billowing-waves dasht and distrest : Yet in this Chuch-triumphant , they shal be From all heart-hurting fear of danger free . Surely , securely , kept from least annoy , In heav'nly safetie sempiternall joy . For why , the Doctrine apostolicall Shall as a firm invincible strong wall Debar and keep out , heart deluding errors , All unclean creatures , Lyers and the tortors , VVhich their abominations might effect ; For , this wall Doctrinall doth them reject : And thus the Prophet Ieremie doth call A constont Preacher , a strong , brazen wall . Now this strong wall is made more admirable , By Stately Ports and ground-work solid , stable , Twelve Gates are about it plac't conveniently , VVhich thus much do unto us signifie : That all her friends and Citizens shall see , The way to th' city easie , plain to be ; Plain to the just , to th' unjust narrow straight , Easie to those , to these most intricate . And on these Gates were charactred most fair , The names of Isr'els twelve tribes , to declare Their good assu●ance and their ready way , That none might wander , erre , or go astray . There needs no use of a conducting guide , Their way lying ope ' to them on every side . But here by th' names of Israels twelve tribes , The sacred spirit unto us describes , ( They being , once , Gods sole peculiar Vine , Til they did from his Love and Lure decline ) That , by a figure , are in them included The elected Gentiles , once from grace secluded . Even people of all Nations under heaven ( To whom , Salvation , God in Christ hath given ) Are here all ta'ne for sp'rituall Israelites , Whom Christ the Corner-stone to th' Jews unites . At these twelve Gates , twelve angels there did stand . But not like Edens-angels , in their hand Holding a sword , a sword like fiery flame , To daunt and drive , what ever thither came : But here these angels stand like Porters kind , That Abr'ams faithfull Sons access may find Unto the tree of life , and sacred spring : VVhich grows and flows from Christ this Edens King VVith most commodious decent scituation Are these twelve gates plac ' 'bout this heav'nly station And good Ezechiel doth them thus digest Three East , three North , three south , and three by west . These three tribes names ; Dan , Ioseph , Semamen , Orethe three Eastern Gates were to be seen . Orethe three Ports set on the Northern side , Iude , Levi , Reubens names might be discride . Ore the three southern gates th' inscription Of Simeon , Isachar , and Zabu●on . Also the three gates on the VVest part had The name of Aser , Napthalem , and God . Of which most decent triple distribution Of these twelve Gates , this is the resolution ; Namely , that all the Saint-elected souls , VVhose names are written : Heav'ns eternall rowles , From whatsoever quarter of the earth , They had their first originall and birth : Yet , had but one especiall means t' ascend Unto this Citie , their hopes happy end . To wit , the blest profession of the trinitie , Hereby , to Christ th' are joynd in neer affinitie And , that they thus , professing three in one : Shall finde the way wide ope to heav'ns high throne . Shall find the path more parent , plain and straight , And at the Gates twelve angels for them wait , A twelf fold Ground-work and Foundatoin strong , Did also to this mighty wall belong . I mean not to the Citie , but the VVall , For , of the Citie , Christ is all in all . Upon which twelve Foundations glorious , rare , Christs twelve apostles names were graven faire : Who here are said to be this Walls foundation , By their apostolique administration , For having by their blest Ministry , Christ Jesus Doctrine preached publikely Unto the World : as the first instruments Are therefore , thus , the twelve strong Firmaments : Not that they are the Principall Foundation , But having first place in this Fabrication . Are ( as I so may say ) the first stones laid , On which the building of this wall was made . For , no man is so silly , as to say , That the Foundation doth it self down lay : But that 's the office of the architector , Which is Christ Jesus , this great works director . This Cities Soveraign , whose un-shrinking shoulders , Are this most glorious Cities firm upholders . Who laid his twelve disciples as Supporters Of this Quadrangled walls most spacious quarters , As those in whom his Churches doctrine pure Did most consist and constantly endure : Thus are th' apostles grounds of ministration , But Christ the only Basis of Salvation . But what sayes Rome to this ? that man of Sin , Who proudly reignes and rules as Lord and King , Peters supremacy , superiour State , Is here ( me thinks ) quite torn , worn out of date . For though our Saviour call'd his Faith , the Rock , Whereon hee 'd build his Church , his Love , his Flock , And his and all th' apostles Doctrine pure , To be his Churches ground-work , grounded sure : Yet neither is St. Peter here exprest , To be in dignity above the rest : Nor yet to be the principall Foundation : But one with others have their Station , Then , surely , hence , 't is most apparent plain , That antichrist of Rome doth not maintain His proud priority , from Peters Faith ; But from his Person ( whom he falsly saith , T' have been Romes Bishop , which , nor he , nor 's crue Shall ere be able to approve as true ) His person 't is , I say , not Doctrine pure , Oh this it is the Pope can worst endure : Therefore since he mis-deems Christs blest foundation He ne're shall have least part in Christs Salvation . But now return we whence we have digrest , The Light-bright Angel ( which did manifest Unto S. Iohn this glorious sacred sight ) Now like some noble Pers'nage , Princely wight , Like to another prudent Ne●emie , Or like good Ezra ful of prudencie , By th' Symbole of a Golden Reed in ' his hand , Did represent , that he with that Met-wand , The Cities spacious round should measure out The height , length , breadth , and compass all about , Entries , and wall , environing the same All under line and measure truly came : All most exactly form'd with due respect , By the arch-artist of this architect . Yea , with a Golden Reed he meets the same , Most fit to measure such a glorious frame . By which externall gesture , the angel here , As else-where in the Prophets may appear In their Prophetick visions us'd to show The Lords intent , by thus descending to Our weak capacity : which ne're can keep A verball document , in mind so deep , As actual gestures evermore we find , Examples more than precepts teach the mind . And here by th' angels meeting with a reed , We are advis'd to take a speciall heed , And deeply to imprint in mind and heart , The subsequent discription and rare art , The stately symmetry , worth admiration , Of this coelestiall sacred habitation , Containing in 't an heav'nly harmony , With the chiefe grounds of christian verity , This Citie lay in form quadrangulare , By which firm cubique plat-form , here we are To understand and note , the stable state Of this Mount-Sion free from hostile hate : Not to be stirr'd by tempests violent , Immoveable , most constant , permanent . Which being square , the Gates are opposite To the four corners of the earths-globe aright , From every part whereof to let in those , Whom Christ the Lamb , to reign with him hath chose . The four Evangelists the pattern are , By whom this edifice was fashion'd square : By Matthew Mark , Luke and Christ tendred Iohn , Was fram'd ( I say ) this constitution . And since the twelve apostles , as foresai● , Were by their short and present doctrine made The strong foundation of the holy wall . Is 't not a concord most harmonicall ▪ That these Evangalists most excellent , By their long-lasting-written testament ; Should the four corners of that square build out , And it to ful perfection bring about . The angell then , with 's reed the Citie meeted ; Which by juss Measure was thus computated , Twelve thousand sta●es , whereof eight makes a mile , Which fifteen hundreth miles do just compile : The length , height , breadth , being of all equal space , Do make , almost , infinite room and place , Within the wall : as Christ himself hath said , In my dear heavinly Fathers house , are made Many fair Mansions : fit to comprehend , Th' increase of Gods elect , to th worlds last end . Now then , the totall body of this place , Doth to us represent the beautious grace , The great felicitie , admired joy , Which in this Citie we shall sure enjoy In the united glorious Deitie , Th' incomprehensible Trine-Unitie . The three distinct dimensions as foreshew'd , Of Latitude , Longitude , Altitude , Present the severall measures of delight , Which in the Father , Son , and Holy-sprite , We shall possess , and this felicitie , To be alike , of equall quantitie . There shall we three in one most clearly see , There shall we also worship one in three , And of this joy we shall have full fruition , Alike of all , without all intermission , Even as the Persons are one in the Deitie , And one in substance in the unite trinity , The Premises thus re-obscur'd , afford To us a most harmonious sweet accord , Twixt God and this his holy Habitacle , The Lambs sweet spouse ; caelestial tabernacle . God , the Worlds most admired artizan , When first he fashion'd and created man , Like his own perfect Image , did him make ; God would man should his Makers likeness take , Even so this Cities Specious Symmetrie , Is shaped like heavens sacred Deitie . As God himself in trinitie is one : So by this Citie his true Church is shown . As of the God-head there be persons three , And Father , Son , and Spirit co-equal be : So those dimensions , length , height , Breadth , are all By the angel measur'd , to be just equal . As neither person in the Deity , Is seperable from their Unity : So none of these dimensions , being three , May from a citie separated be , Or other solid body , otherwise It were not sound , but Line or superfice . The persons three and their three offices , Are not confounded : and no more are these ; For neither is the length , the breadth , and so The height is neither breadth , nor length we know , And even as Athanasius in his Creed , As wittily , as wisely doth proceed , And sayes , the father , son , and holy sprite , Though three in persons are one God unite : So Longitude , Latitude , Altitude , Must one sole citie evermore include . The doctrine also of the deitie , Is witnest in the four-fold verity , Writ by the four Evangelists : so here This New-Jerusalem , as doth appear , Is in a quadrate , or square form set down ; Most like a strong immoveable firm town . The twelve apostles , were disperst and sent To every quarter of earths continent , To preach to all our Saviours doctrine sound , Whereby al nations heav'ns rightrode way have found : On twelve foundations , so stands this great frame , And by twelve Gates all go into the same . Lastly the God-head universall is , And infinite in glory and in bliss , Infinitely extended over all : So in Jerusalem coelestiall , Is infinite tranquillity and peace , Aboundant roome , for all the great encrease Of Gods dear Saints , who were predestinate To this Jerusalems most happy state . Thus having heard this sacred Symphonie Twixt God and 's Church : proceed we orderly . The angel now here measuring the wall , The mighty bulwark apostolicall , Of this angelick State of sanctitie , Found it to be rais'd up in cubits high , Even by a twelve-fold-high-ascending course , By th' twelve apostles rais'd to mighty force . But this though spoken in a humane sort : Yet hath a heav'nly sence of great import , Namely , that though the Church , here , Militant Was evermore distrest with wo and want ; Being by worldly obstacles kept low , And never could to ful perfection grow : Yet now in her triumphant dignity , To plenary perfection springs on high ; Yhis being by twelve courses signifi'd , Which twelve times so much more being multiply'd , T'an hundreth forty four courses of height ; Do make the wall to rise , direct upright , By Jews and Gentiles mighty multitude , VVhom grace by faith wil in this frame include . Thus now , we having seen the stately stature , The spacious compass of this heaven-built structure : Let us with our divine divine behold The matter , substance and most precious Mold . VVhereof the wall , citie and firm foundation , The twelve great gate of this heav'ns habitation , Were form'd , adorn'd , yea with what pavement rare , The Streets were pav'd , all which is to declare The wonderfull unspeakable delight , VVhich Gods dear Saints in presence of his sight , Shall in that life to come , to th'ful possess : And thus the Prophet Isay did redress , And consolate the Jews disconsolation , Declaring in his true vaticination , The glory of this New-Jerusalem , VVhich God would once re-build , re-make for them . O happy are they , which are interested . And whose blest souls are there into invested ! Now then the building of this fencive wall , This sincere Doctrine apostolicall , Of precious stones , most gloriously did shine VVith bountie and with beauty most divine . Having a lustre like the Jasper green , VVhich evermore to flourish shall be seen . Hence then , this Note is set before our eyes : That this rare fabrique , pompous edifice , Is all most precious , specious , round about , As bright within , as it is light without . But in this wall , this one thing is most rare , Is most regardable , beyond compare : That though those twelve foundations firm & strong , Were so by courses set and laid along , As that course after course , th' are placed all , And strangely ordred clean throughout the wall : Yet is the wall , as here we plainly see , Thus wholly said of Jasper for to be . Which is indeed to shew and signifye . That though those ground-props of the Ministrie , Whose rare and divers gifts in every one , Are by rich Jews afterwards here shown : Yet that the matter and the lustre bright , Of this great wall , are said , and that most right , To arise from one , which is the Lord alone , Designed here by this rare Jasper stone . He only is the Churches bulwark strong , For though to these apostles did belong Diversitie of gifts of heav'nly grace : Yet each of them in his peculiar place Did over build one and the self-same thing , And not themselves did preach , but Christ their King . The cities model was of perfect Gold , Most delectable , glorious to behold . Which mettle , for its ex'lent properties , This cities glory rarely amplifies . It being of all other chiefe and best , For these five reasons in pure gold exprest . First , that the burning fire consumes it not : Next , that it takes no Canker , stain or spot . Again , for use it longest doth endure , As also that the fire makes it more pure . Lastly , nor Salt nor Vinegar can spoil , Nor any such liquidity defile . The fair corruscant beauty of the same , And therefore from the rest it bares the fame . O! must not then this City needs be stable ? Is 't not most strong , invincible , durable ? Being so free from stains of all corruption , Being so far from fear of foes irruption . Nay , here 's not all , there 's one more property Of rare respect , of precious ex'lencie ; Namely , that it like clearest glass doth glister , And thereby casts a more admired lustre : Whereby is thus much to us intimated : That 't is not with soul spots contaminated , But doth with such a radient splendor shine , That all may alwaies clearly cast their eyne With most sweet contemplation , on the face Of Gods great beauty and most bounteous grace , By re-percussion of those glorious beams Which from his God-head , on his Saints forth streams Therefore this glorious City of the Lord , Which inwardly such beauty doth afford , Is fat unlike the seat of Romes great whore ; Which she doth gild and gorgeously daub o're , In her externall parts ; so to delude The simple and besotted multitude . Whereas within she's wholly inquinated , With filthy beastliness all-vitiated , And by her cup of poysonous Fornication , Would all defile with her abomination : Being beast-like drunken with the blood of Saints , Which to heav'ns throne do send up Abels plaints . But this coelestial sacred architecture , Like Solomons faire Brides most princely vesture , Is precious , curious , beautiful within , Admits no soile , or smallest touch of Sin ; Within , without , all spotless purity , And inter-mixt with boundless Majesty . Thus having view'd the wall , And what rare substance they are fram'd withall : Now le ts behold , and that with admiration , The sumptuous substance of the strong Foundation . All which , though of themselves they are most precious Yet are they made more gogeous , gay and specious , Being embost , enamelled and dight , To make them give a more resplendent light , With Patriarchs , Prophets , and Professors good ; With valiant Martyrs , who not spar'd their blood In Christs just quarrel , with interpteters , And Soul converting holy Ministers : All these do garnish , deck , and decorate , The twelve foundations of this blissful state . Which here the angell fitly doth compare Unto twelve Gems , or precious stones most rare VVhose vertues , colours , places where they grow , Is worth our labour severally to know , The first foundation is of Jasper stone , An Indian Gem , as is by Plinie shown ; VVhose specious splendor , and whose beauty rare , T is easier to admire , than to declare . For , a confuse promiscuous multitude Of Noble vertues , it doth in't include : In which , a pleasant multiplicitie Of excellencies rare varietie May be perceiv'd ; but which is chiefe or best , Cannot be casly seen : or soon exprest : For , it , as hath been snew'd , doth represent Gods blest similitude most excellent , Therefore this stone ( and that most worthily ) Hath in this building chiefe priority , The second was a precious Saphyr stone . VVhich is reported 'mongst the Medes t'have grown , Faire goldey spots , this precibus stone doth garnish , VVith a remarkable and beautious burnish . The third was of a Chalcedonie clear , Found 'bout the Chalcedonian waters ; near The Rocks Semplegads or those Isles in Thrac● : This stone being nam'd after that foresaid place , T is of one colour glistring like a flame , And with the Carbuncle doth seem the same . VVhich with good reason , wel may signifie , Of burning zeal an ardent fervencie . The fourth an Em●aude , or Smaragdes rare . VVhich stone t is said doth grow i' th' Scythian Lare Of colour green , glist●ing most clear and bright , VVhich hiew indeed doth most tontent the sight ; And is internally as admirable , As for externall beautie delectable : For if by too-intentive contemplation The sight grow dim , this stones rare delactation Doth soon refresh the lassitude of th' eye , And gives the sight perfection speedily : VVhose beauty green , sound knowledg intimates , Which th' eye of understanding highly rates , " Therefore t is next the Chalcidonie set ; " To shew , that where zeal hath with knowledg met , " And are conjoynd i' th' heart their supreme seat : " Then are they both most pure and most compleat . For knowledge without zeal brings proud ambition , And zeal without true knowledg , superstition . A Sardonix is for the fift foundation , VVhich is a Gem found in the Indian Nation , VVhose superficial face is red and white , Like a mans naile of 's hand , and shines most bright . And this doth also to us signifye , A certain shew of chast humanity . A Sardius , Carbuncle or Rubic rare , Doth this most sacred sixt foundation rear . A precious Stone , which specially is found By Sardus citie in the Lybian ground : Of colour red like blood , to intimate , A Severitie on clemency should wait ; And fitly 's with the Sardonix here placed , Because the foresaid fleshly colours graced , And cannot fade , but fresh vivificate , By being joynd with this associate . The seventh Foundation is a Chrysolite : An Aethiopian stone which glisters bright , Of golden hiew , and this doth demonstrate Much dignity , and great Magistick State . The eigth a Beryll , which ( as Pliny saith ) Is found in Indie : this , for colour hath Sea water-green , betokening lowliness : For , water as experience doth express , Yeilds and gives place to each interposition , Which is against it set , or makes inscission . " Set with the Chrysollte to signifie , " Meekness with greatness should keep company : A vertuous mean thus ever to retain , And rash extremes stil wisely to refrayne . The ninth a opaze which was first found out By arabian rovers , ranging all about , Call'd Traglodit's : this Stone 's of colour green , And yet not simply so , for in t' is seen Much yellowness , glistring like perfect Gold , Giving a Lustre pleasant to behold . A precious Stone call'd Indian Chrysoprase , Doth this great VValls tenth firm foundation raise . Which also gives a certain golden glister , but therein is a Scallion juyce commixture , This Fortresses eleventh and twelf foundation , Were both of them two Gems of Indian nation , Call'd hyacinth and ametist : both which Are of a purple colour , faire and rich . And now of all that hitherto is said , Of these rich precious Stones whereof was made This twelve-fold Solid Glorious Strong Foundation , This is the scope , true use and application : Namely , that as a careful architector , Who of a Princely building is Director ; And chiefe Ore-seer , sends with expedition His Quarrions , Masons , gives them this commission , In every quarter to search out and dress , To hiew and cut , to have in readiness The choicest Stones that might be got for gold , For strength to build , and beautious to behold : Or , as Wit-wondrous Solomon is said , When he would have the Lords great temple made , To send his Princes to provide each thing , Which might decore the seat of heav'ns great King : With Hiram his kind Neighbor did compact , For necessaries to that sacred act : Who sent both men and all his choicest Stuff , Of every thing aboundantly enough : Even so the Lord , this Cities Master-builder , Earths globy Universals strong hand we●lder , To th' build in got this blessed habitation Sent his apostles into every Nation , To India , Aegypt , Aethiopia , Arabia , Europe , and Armenia . Through every course it● worlds circumference , To reach and preach with care and diligence , To congregate and bring into his ●old , His precious people ; who , like perfect Gold Should gorgeously adorn this sacred frame , Some Prophets , Martyrs , Preachers of great same ; Some with one gift , some with another graced , That in this Sancture they might thus be placed , To frame and build this everlasting palace Of everliving Stones , and endless solace . Who as th' had built his Church once Militant : Now should they thus build up his Church triumphant And as they had converted souls to Christ : Their souls should shine like Stars in glory high'st . Thus then the citie , wall , and groundwork past , To th' gates with joy we now are come at last . Twelve Gates most rich and precious did belong To the wall apostolike , most firm , most strong , Which Gates were all of pearls most orient . Yet all were but one Pearl most excellent , Even Jesus Christ , who is the only Port , Through whom th' Elect must into bliss resort . Through whom alone by saith we here are fed . Through whom at last we all shal tast that bread , That bread of Life never to hunger more , Which for his Saints Christ hath laid up in store . He only is the Dore , by which ( I say ) We shal go in and out , feed , Live for ay . And as on twelve foundations did arise A VVall , as we did formerly premise ; But One in Matter and in Lustre bright , Even God the Father , Father of all Light : So these twelve Ports , are all one Pearl most rare , Even God the Son whence they derived are . But here this one objection may accrew , How it may come to pass , a pearl should shew And represent this Man-God Christ our King ? To which Objection , I this answer bring : That as the Shel wherein the Pearl doth grow , ( Which Pliny plainly in his work doth snow ) Doth at a certain season gape and yawn , And without any generating spawne , Draws into it a dew , from forth the ayre ; Which , by the Sea , i' th' shel grows Orient fair , And of this dew doth more coagulate , Than t is of earthly stuff coaugmentate : Even so , the Holy Ghost from heav'ns high frame , Upon the blessed Virgin Mary came ; And Gods eternall power , whose breath all made , Did so Christs Virgin-Mother over-shade : That without any humane copulation , Christ in her womb took on him incarnation . Yet so , as that his powerfull Divinity Was stil assistant unto his humanity , Which subject was to mans infirmitie : But not to sins even last impurity : Being thus most perfect God and Man indeed , Knowing our wants to help us at our need . Thus then , we see , that these twelve Pearly Gates Consisting of one Pearl , this intimates , That we in heaven or earth none o● her have To invocate , our sinful souls to save , But Jesus Christ , true God and man alone , Who sits ( our advocate ) in heav'ns high throne . Oh then , the wilful madness of our Foe ! That monstrous beast of Rome , who though he know This our Position most authenticall , Both he and his besotted shavelings all , Vet they unto their Saints appropriate , And unto angels dare accommodate The honour only due to Christs blest name . Angels themselves having refus'd the same And since nor Saints , nor angels know out state , Nor have in them , power , us to consolate , But Christ hath will'd us come to him alone , Who can and wil ease and appease our moan , Therefore that they dare add and thus diminish From Gods firm truth ; they do but strive to finish And measure up to th'ful their own damnation , Threatned to all such in the Revelation . The Gates thus entred , now we may behold The streets within , all pav'd with purest Gold , Which gave allustre like the clearest glass , Even every street through which the Saints shall pass , And customarily walk up and down , Like glorious Kings in pomp and great renown : Which streets and patent passages , imply ( Amongst their other joyes ) the liberty And perfect freedome , which those sacred Saints Shall fully there possess ; without restraints Of being unto any one place tyde , For why , wheres'ere they go , God is their guide , They walk in God , and God in them alwayes : Their beautious paths shining with his bright rayes . Thus have we seen th' essential Majesty , This Cities glorious frame and Symmetry , The most magnificent and blissful State Of those which are in Christ incorporate : But yet , whiles here , we see 't no otherwise , Then as we had a Myst before our eyes . Then as we were i th' bottome of a vail , Whence of a perfect sight we needs must fail , By reason that cloud-kissing Mountaines hie , And lofty trees are interpos'd to th' eye : And hereby hinder our more clear aspect Of this most glorious heavenly architect : So that , but Aenigmatically , we As through a glass , this sacred City see ; Whiles in the Flesh we live by lively faith , As blessed Paul in his Epistle saith : Yet let it joy our hearts our souls delight , That though but thus , we may admire this sight . That though but with the Prophet Daniel , we May ope the window and look toward thee , O Dateless , Fateless , Restful , Blissful Citie ; Where Hallelujah is the angels Ditty . Now let it not be ( O! how can it be ? ) Tedious to us , to contemplate and see What majesty and dignity compleat Is accessary to the glory great Of that externall beauty of this place , Fill'd with the glory of the Lords bright face ; Making this City most magnificent , An abstract Common-weale most permanent . First , there shall be no Temple in the same , Wherein to worship God all-glorious name , No sacrificing , no peculiar place , To worship in , or be this Cities Grace , Nor no externall Paedagogie , shall Be useful there , no Service Ritual , Like that under the Law amongst the Jews , When they did their old sacrifices use . But God the Father , and the Lamb Christ Jesus , Shal of such heavy yokes then clearly ease us . And be a Temple unto his , most faire , To whose blest Saints with delight repaire . His worship , then , shal be most plain and pure , And shal for ever constantly endure . Without all legal Rites or Ceremonie , Adoring God in Christ in sanctimony Whose looks to them as Lessons shall appear , His holy name be'ng Musick in their ear . And such indeed is this great Cities state , So admirable , so inexplicate : That Gold and precious stones being too too base , T' express the glory of that glorious place , If nature did more precious things bring forth , More amply to describe this Cities worth : I therefore know not , what terrestrial thing We may with due proportion hereto bring , To have a fit and true analogy Unto this temple of eternitie , But God himself and Jesus Christ alone ; In whom it may most properly be shown . Again this Citie hath no need of Light , Neither of Sun , or Moone , or Stars most bright , For , as the Prophet saith , when God again Shall his dear Church restore and o're it reign , The glorious Light thereof so clear shall shine , By the blest presence of the Unite-trine : That even the Sun and Moon shall seem most dark , And in comparison but like a spark , To that ineffable , refulgent light Of Gods blest countenance and sacred sight . Whereby alone the Saints shall all possess Such perfect joy and hearty cheerfulness , As that all earthly comfort , though it seem'd , And were as bright as Sun and Moon esteem'd , Shall be superfluous , needless , most neglected , And unto this compar'd , not least respected : Also , the Heirs and Sons of this Salvation , Even all th' Elected people of each Nation , Kings of the Earth whom Euphrates did bar , And once sequester from Christs Kingdome far ; So many as are saved ( as many shall ) Shall in Jerusalem coelestiall With perfect joy , enjoy the full fruition Of this most infinite and heav'nly vision , And thither shal their pomp and honour bring , Even unto God and Christ their heav'nly King . But here 's not meant their worldly wealth and state , Their Gems and Jewels , Gold or Silver plate , For , since this sacred Citie needs no light , Of Sun or Moon , which shine on Earth so bright : Much less shal there be need of worldly pelfe , In this most sacred sumptuous Commwealth . But this is hereby understood and meant , That those good Princes which were eminent For vertuous gifts of grace and piety , Shall lift up all their whole felicity , Their glory and their princely estimation From earthly unto heav'nly contemplation : And only fix their joy upon the same , And glory thus to glorifie Gods name . The gates , moreover , of this City , shall Be never shut , but stand widrope to all . None shall from this felicity be staid , Nor be shut up , as frighted or afraid . For there shall be no Enemy to fear them , No doubt of danger , then shall once come near them , All spight of former adversaries cease , For there shall be perpetuall rest and peace . And which is more , there shal be here no Night , For why , an everlasting splendour bright From Gods all-glorious presence shall proceed , A Lightmore pure then light it self indeed , Shal so incessantly shine forth alway , Making an endless everlasting day . But here this night may further intimate , A two-fold meaning Lit'ral , Figurate : The Literal sense that there no night shal be , Is , that indeed the Saints no Night shal see . For why ? as hath been said all times distinctions Of day and Night , summer and winter seasons Shal then quite cease and be superfluous : The figurative sence and meaning , thus May be explain'd , that no obscurity Of error of slye hypocrisie , No unclean thing foul or abominable , No filthy creature , Lyer detestable , No Murthering Cains , no Iudas implous , No Cham's , nor Achams sacrilegious , No cruel , faithless , friendless , envious else That hurts his Neighbour , but much more himself , " No Avaricious arm'd in hooking tenters , " And clad in Bird-lime catching all adventures , Nor ought that may contagiously infect , Or once eclipse the joy of Christs Elect , Or violate the glorious state and bliss Which Christ the Lamb hath purchased for his : Nor in the least degree shall hurt or wrong The flourishing estate , which doth belong To th' Saints rare dignity , and perfect Light Of sincere worship of the Lord of Might : Which is his angels glory and chiefe grace , And shall for ever in them keep firm place . But those shall hither come with joyes most rise , Whose names are registred i th' Book of Life , For whom the Lamb Christ Jesus did ordain This glorious Kingdome with him thus to reign , Who were predestinate to this salvation , Before the worlds originall foundation . To these alone the Gates stand open wide , These shal for ever with the Lamb abide , Lastly , to make this citie most compleat , In every part to be as good as great , The Holy Ghost having at large declared The churches glorie , being thus compared Unto a sumptuous citie ful of State , Now finally proceedeth to relate , That both this City and its Citizens Are furnisht and replenisht with al all means For conservation of their endless joy , Sufficient to protect them from annoy : They have , I say , spirituall lively meat , Divine angelike Mann ' to drink , to eat , The soveraign Balsum to conserve alway Their health , in health , from fall or least decay . The holy spirit as erst , here using stil , These earthly terms t' express heav'n● sacred wil . And all to shew heav'ns great benignity , Descending thus to our capacity , This honour'd City hath in it also A sacred River which doth over-flow With pure and precious water of blest life , Whose stream do issue from its fount most rife . A current River , not a pool with soil , Nor foul or troubled , Aegyptian Nile ; Or billowing Euphrates ; But sweet and fair With dectable streams , smooth , clear and rare . A River for its great aboundancie , Pure in respect of its sweet sanctity , Of water of Gods Sp'rits rare gifts of Grace , Of life , whose tasters live an endless space , And clear as Crystall from all spissitude , From all unclean corrupt amaritude . This River shall from Gods great throne proceed And from the Lambs , gliding with pleasant speed . And thus the River here may signifie , The Holy Ghosts gifts , third in a trinity . Which is not sleightly ratifi'd , indeed , In that t is said here , that it shal proceed From Gods and from the Lambs most sacred throne , Which Iohns shewn Prophesie hath clearly shown . Yea , and i th' midst of this great Cities street Pav'd all with gold , as mould under their feet , Through all the pleasant passages most fair , Where to and fro the Sainted souls repair : On either side this River ( rare to see ) Doth flourish fairely a Life-giving tree . Which tree of Life , doth thus much to us show , That to those gracious Waters , which do flow , To all the grace●s of Gods sacred Spirit ; Christ Jesus is conjoynd , by whose just merit , His Church hath life , true peace , and sure salvation , Thus having with the Sp●rite co-operation : And stil residing with his Saints Elect , Continually doth guide and them direct , Exhibiting to all , by his tuition , Easie partaking , and a ful fruition Of all the Benefits and heav'nly Graces , Which in and 'bout this River he thus places . Whereon they all shall spiritually feed , Alwaies desiring , yet ne'ere stand in need . Which Tree of Life , twelve sorts of fruite doth beare , Whereby the Holy Spirit doth declare , First , that the Lord , who is the God of Order , Doth much detest confusion or disorder . In stil retaining as he first begun , The number twelve , which hitherto is done : And also to express that there shal be , In number and measure full sufficiencie , To saturate the longing appecites , Of all the twelve spirituall Israelites , Even of all those that so have run their race , The twelve apostles doctrine to imbrace , T' observe and keep ( Maugre the rage and spight Of pope and pagan , foes to Truths pure light . ) Thus then , we see the angell here observing An exquisite decorum , thence not swerving : Who since the City , Entries , Romes Foundations , And Symmetry of these blest habitations , To th' number twelve have been accommodated ; And orderly thus stil continuated : Therefore with decent correspondencie , The angel to this number doth apply The spiritual food , and furniture most meet , Making a consort most harmonious sweet , Conformably agreeing thus in one , With those whence they had their comparison . Now as twelve sorts of fruit grow on this tree , The Saints to satisfie : so shall they be For delicacie , sweet content and pleasure . As every Saint shall have aboundant measure : So shall this pleasant Plenitude of grace , No Nauseous Surset cause , in any case . For , as Christ Jesus is that drink and meat , Whereof each Sainted soul shal tast and eat : So is he sweet , pleasant , and delicate , Whereon they feed their fil , yet moderate , Taking sufficient for their contentation , And their beatitudes firm conservation . Which truth is farther illustrated here , In that t is said this tree of life doth bear , Doth every month bear fruit , green , ripe , and fair , Which with delights their apperites repair . Not that the times shall then alternate be , By years , months , dayes , as now-a-dayes we see , For then the seasons cease , time 's termined , Sun , Moon , and Stars , are then quite vanished , As formerly was toucht : but here is meant , That all things then shal give such rare content , Shal be so ful of rich variety , Shall yeild such cordial sweet society And with such fulness all the Saints shall feed , As that to store and hoord up shall not need . In that the harvest there shall ever last , Their pleasant spring-time then shall nere be past . Also the Leaves of this most blessed tree , Shal Salutiferous and most Soveraign be , To help , to heal , to cure all Maladies , Which 'mongst the Gentile Nations do arise . So that this tree not only makes them live : But to the Elect a healthful life doth give . Yet here 's not meant the Churches final state , But that when antichrist is ruinate , When God shal th'unbelieving Nations call , And faithless Jews , who once from Grace did fall . But by these leaves is chiefly intimated , That all the smallest gifts , accommodated By th Lamb Christ Jesus to the Saints elect , Shal serve some way their Souls with joy t' affect . T' exhilerate and cheer their sacred mind , In 's meanest blessings they shall comfort find . But now behold now follow him indeeed That which doth all the former joyes exceed : The absolute accomplishment of all , The accessary blessings , which befall The Citizens of this rare Domicil , Th' inhabitants of Gods great Sion-hill . Namely , that in it there no curse shall be , It shal be from destruction firmly free . It shall be subject to no execration , But strongly stand , fearless of alteration . Which is a symbole , and a certainty Of this blest Cities perpetuity , A most infallible strong argument , That t is eternall and most permanent . A three-fold reason hereof may be given , First , that ( as is foresaid ) this seat of heaven , This holy habitacle shal contain No unclean thing , which may its beauty stain . Again , the glorious throne and sacred seat , Whereon omnipotent Jehovah great , Whereon the blessed trinity wil raign , Shall here abide and evermore remain . Lastly , in that all these his servants shall With sincere Love and Zeal angelicall , For ever invocate his sacred name , And his due praises constantly proclaim : Serving the Lord in singleness of heart , Not once to wil from 's worship to depart . But Curses are ( we know ) for gross transgressors , For disobedient stubborn Male-factors , Not for th' obedient , faithful and sincere : Thus then , is their perennity most clear , Moreover all the Saints of this blest race , Shal see th' all-beautious , light-bright shining face Of that arch essence of eternity , To walk and talk with him familiarly : And with inexplicable sweet delight Have ful fruition of this sacred sight , Not as he is , immense and infinite , For so even angels see not his bright light , Who are described covering their face With their angelike wings : in any case Not able to behold his glorious sight , He infinite , they being definite . Yet that we shall have his ful contemplation Is certain , but with this just limitation , First , in respect of us , we shal possess A perfect sight of Gods great holiness . The Lord in us , and we in him shal dwel In such ful measure , as no tongue can tel ; He wil replenish every faculty Of soul and body most aboundantly , With his most precious presence : by his sight He 'le fil our Mines , from darkness freed quite , Our hearts he 'le quicken , there shal be no deadness , Our whole affections freed from gloomie sadness . What man is capable to comprehend , Even so great glory God wil then extend ? Again , of that blest sight , which we shall have , No inter-mediums shal our sight deprave . Here , we as in a vision do him see , By mediate Revelation : then shall we Of him immediate perfect sight possess , Which none but those that have it , can express : A measure running over , heapt and p●est ; Wll Christ bestow upon his Saints most blest . His name shal also in their fore-heads be . That is , they shal with such bold constancie And un-revolting zeal profess his name , That nothing shal obliterate the same ; Or cause them once neglect their pure profession , By least relapse or undiscreet transgression . They shal be so conform'd , confirm'd therein , To persevere as they did first begin , Constant , couragious , evermore the same , Professing stil Jehovahs glorious name . Again , his name is said ( as here we see ) Upon their Fore-heads charactred to be , Because the Lord wil publikely agnize Them , by this cognizance and Patronize ( By his all-seeing , and all-soveraign power ) Them and their states , as in a fenced tower . And in this City there shal be no night , No need of candle , Sun or Stars most bright , That is , there shal be no obscurity . Or darkness of adverse calamity , No night of obumbratick cloudy Error , No frighting Fear , nor no heart daunting terror , No sly bie-fronted close hypocrisie , Shall viriate their intact integrity , No need of earthly comfort more or less , No seeking , suing there , wrongs to redress , By temp'rall laws , or ecclesiasticall , For , there the trinity is all in all : And is this glorious Cities great Lord-Keeper , Most vigilant , and watchful , he 's no sleeper , And , which ( as was promis'd ) is the perfection , And consummating of this benediction , This glorious Kingdome , where Gods Saints shal reign Shal doubtless sempiternally remain , Like glorified Kings most gloriously , Their bliss shal last , past all eternity . Now as bounteous hearted King doth use , When he a Fau'ri●e unto him doth chose , On whom he meaneth largely to bestow His golden gifts , like Rivers to ore-flow ; What he doth promise or by words proclaime , By 's Letters-patents ratifies the same : Thus , O even thus our bounteous hearted Lord , The heart of bounty Loves ore-flowing word , Having his Church his favorite elected , And promis'd she shal be by him erected , Richly endow'd , gorgeously beautified Rarely be royalliz'd and sanctified , Her head adorned with a Crown of Gold , A fragrant Garland which shal nere wax old , Triumphantly in endless joy shal reign , And see her subject , abject foes in pain ; The Lord ( I say ) this promise having given , That all these joyes they shal possess in heaven . To verifie his promise , and confirm What he hath said beyond times endless term , Hath given his Letters Patents , his broad Seal i th' sacred Scriptures , which he'ele nere repeal ; Seal'd by an angels testimony pure And as his act and deed given and made sure , To blessed Iohn , in the behalf and right And to the use of all the Saints of Light . Which being done , makes thereof Proclamation , VVith most emphaticall asseveration , That he , the Lord of Lords , and King of Kings , Hath power to do , and wil perform these things . And surely , heaven and earth shal pass away , Yea , all things shal prepostrously decay , Ere his pure word in one least jot or tittle , Shall fade or fail , or alter nere so little . VVhich , though some wretches athiesticall , Some Nauseous Neuter , Satans tennis-ball , Some execrable Saduces ( I say ) VVhich do the resurrection denay , Though some vile quakers Pythagoricall , Or Anabaptists most Diabolicall , VVhich have suppos'd the spirits trans-migration From one t' another in life consummation ; VVhich do with devillish dotage them perswade , That there 's no God which ere the world hath mad ; Nor that the would ere had a prime beginning , And think and hold that it shal nere have ending . Although such Hectors past all grace , May entertain a thought , with brazen face , And heart of flinty infidelity , To think or say that the rare symmetry Of this Jerusalem coelestial , Seems as thing meer hyperbolicall , Incredible to their besotted sense , And past the reach of their intelligence ; Yet let the rabble of such miscreants know , That ther 's 'gainst them pronounc't a fearful wo , There no-belief , or wavering un-belief , Shal fil their souls with never ending grief : And what they erst would not conceive in mind , Their heart with smart shal then both feel and find . Nor shal they have least part or portion here , Of this great Cities pleasure , joy and cheer , But from Gods presence shal be seperated , Which is the second death nere terminated . As for good Abrahams faithful Generation , Who waver not in tottering haesitation , Who have a hearty thirst , and thirsting heart Of these rare pleasures once to have their part : Whose hope past hope doth cause their souls aspire , By faith in Christ this Kingdome to acquire , Wherewith , i th' warfare of this life , they fight , Fenc't with the bulwark of a zeal upright , Arm'd at all points , with Christs blest furniture , Wherewith they may most constantly endure The fight spiritual , their Loins to tye With the strong g●rdle of Christs Verity ; Having the brest-plate on of righteousness , To quench the Darts of hels ourtagiousness , And on their head the helmet of salvation , True peril proofe 'gainst he is most hot temptation , The sword o' th' Spirit , brandisht in their hand , Wherewith they may couragiously withstand That brood of quakers Anabaptists and the flesh ; VVhich evermore assault the soul afresh VVith hot encounters , hellish stratagems , To keep them from the new Jerusalems Eternal bliss : In which most faithfull fight If they magnanimously stand upright , Assisted by that all-proofe , fervent prayer , The godlies guard , supporter , and chiefe stayer , If thus they get ( as thus being arm'd they shall ) The conquest , ore those foes fierce Capitall , Even from the proud Pope their old enemy , VVhen he shall challenge them this fight to try , ( As oft he wil ) they nere by fraud or force , By terrours or by torments leave their course Of constant perseverance to the end , But his hopes frustrate , and their souls defend : Then shall they like brave victors have the crown Of immortality of blest renown , Triumphantly to reign with Christ their King , And all their vertues as rich trophies bring , And lay before him , for which he wil give A crown , a Kingdome wherein they shal live , The Lord in them , and they in him shal dwel , As Christs co-heirs , whom he loves passing wel , And shal sit down with him as children dear , To Sup at 's table with coelestial cheere , And then their thirst of this accomplishment Shal satisfyed be with ful content , Then shall the holy , happy , faithful , see The structure of this sacred frame to be Far more illustrious , admirable , rare , Than earthly things could possibly declare ; And that those Stones and gold were too too base , To serve t' illustrate heav'ns coelestial place , Whose boundless beauty all discourse transcendeth , Whose infinite felicity nere endeth . Yea , that t is such as that no mortal eye , Could but as through a glass the same descry : Such as no ear hath heard no tongue ere told The Majesty which there they shal behold , Yea , such ( I say ) as never humane heart Could ere conceive th' incogitable part . O then , my soul , thou having contemplated This City all with glory decorated , Thou having viewd , with heart exulting pleasure , The Majesty unparralleld , the matchless treasure , The most magnificent , majestick state , Where into Christ wil his incorporate : What wilt thou thereof with thy self conclude ? What wilt thou say of this beatitude ? Oh this , even this , with Peter and with Iohn At Christs admir'd tranfiguration , T is good to make thy seat and mansion there , Oh there t is best to dwel and dwel for ere . Never did noble Greece so much affect Their Poetiz'd Elysean fields aspect , Never so much did wandring wise Vlysses Desire his chast Penelopes kind kisses : Or rather , more divinely for to raise My thoughts unto a more religious phrase , Never did Noah more desire to see Ararats Hills , where he of 's ark was free : Nor Sheba's queen to see wise Solomon , Nor at Christs birth more glad was Simeon , Then doth my soul desire these heav'nly fields , Which perfect pleasure joy and comfort yeilds , To see my Saviour sweet on Sion hil , My sences with his sacred sight to fil , To ske him in his glorified state , Therein to be with him associate : Even in these Mansions of Eternity , To live in sure in pure felicity . Which happiness , though yet I may not have , Until my soul receive my corps from Grave , Until I mortal be immortalized , And with the sacred angels angelized ; Unttlith ' clouds my Saviour come again , To re-collect th' Elect with him to reign . O yet , my soul , thy selfe delight and solace , To ruminate the joyes of that sweet Palace , To recapitulate the sacred pleasure The Saints shal then possess in plenteous measure , Even in the eternal palace Crystaline , The sacred seat of the United trine ; The glorious Court and heav'nly presence Chamber Of heav'ns great Emp'rour , wonderful Commander , That alpha and omega , first and last , Who was , is , shal be , when all times are past , That mighty , powerful , One sole God most high , Th' eternal King , nay , self-eternity , Infinite , all in all , yet out of all , Of ends the end , of firsts Originall , The Life of Lives , Bounties ore-flowing flood , Cause of all Causes , Ocean of all Good , Un-Seen , all-Seer , Stars-Guide , Sight of Seeing , That One-None which to Nothing gave a Beeing . There also shal my soul behold and see The most ineffable deep Mystery Of that incomprehensible trine-one , Sitting in glory in his glistring throne , With blessed Saints and angels comitated , With all the heavenly hoast of soul-beated Prophets , Apostles , Patriarchs of old , The noble band of Martyrs stout and bold ; Our Parents , Wives , our Children , Kindred , Friends , Yea all to whom Christs saving health extends : All of them clad in bliss coelestial , All shining bright in joy angelicall . Wherein the presence of their heavenly King , They Hallelujah , Hallelujah sing To him that sitteth on the throne most high , Making a most harmonious Melody , With sacred sugred Notes and heav'nly Songs , Singing the praise which to the Lamb belongs . This being their especial exercise , Their pleasant practise , customary guise , Stil to behold the Lords most beautious face , Burning with love of his most lovely grace , Their mouthes stil fill'd with praises of his name , In magnifying his immortall fame , Without all tediousness or intermission , Protected alwaies by his blest tuition , O there is infinite , un-uttered joy ! Mirth without mourning , bliss without annoy , Health without sickness or pernicious humors , Perfection without all sonitainting humors , Peace without war , and light without darkness , Love without hate , beauty without paleness , Sweetness without all fulsome surfeiting , Life without death , life ere continuing . There are no sighs , no sobs , no penury , No hunger , thirst , but with saturity , No chilling , killing frosts , or least extremes , No parching Sun-shine , with her piercing beams , No wil to sin , no power to offend , No enemie least mischief to intend . Good Paul hath there no need to watch and pray , To labour in the world both night and day ; And good old Ierome then may cease t' afflict Himself , so often , by a life most strict : To conquer his spirituall enemy , To overthtow the Serpents subtilty . For there 's all peace , security and rest , That peace which can by no means be exprest : There 's all perfection sacred Light excelling , All sorrow , care , darkness , and dread expelling . O life eternall ! holy habitacle ! Heav'nly Jerusalem , Saints receptacle ! O amiable City of the Lord ! How should my soul thy prayses due record ? What excellent rare thing are said of thee ? What things are writ , are hop't , are found to be In thee ! thou hast the seat of glory sure , That good-best good-God , joy and solace pure , Which far exceeds the science and deep sense Of humane reason and intelligence . Por which even Legions of Professors good , And godly Martyrs have not spar'd their blood , But with undaunted valiant courage have Made Lyons , Tygres , Fire and sword their grave , That after death they might enjoy that Crown , Those Palms of peace , of honour and renown , Wherewith thy Saints , O blest Jerusalem ! Are happifi'd in happiness supreme , VValking as Kings , in those most gorgeous streets , VVhere each one nought but perfect pleasure meets : In streets , I say , more precious than pure gold , Glistring with glory wondrous to behold . The Gates of which most holy habitation , Are pearls of pearless price and valuation , VVhose wall is all of precious stones most pure , Incomparably rich and strong t' endure , There is that glorious Paradice coelestiall , Surpassing Adams Paradice terrestriall , VVherein are fluent Oyly Rivers Currents , Fair brooks of butter and sweet Honney torrents . Replenished with Garden-walks and Bowers , VVith beds all wrought and frought with fragrant flowers . VVhose odoriferous rare variety Afford most various sweet amenity , VVhose curious colours , and whose lovely greene Are alwaies fresh , are alwaies springing seen . There , Hearts-ease , Saffron , Lillies and the Rose , Do savour , sent , spring , spire , with sweet repose . There all the Spices aromaticall , T' afford delight and cheer the heart withall . There is that soveraign Balsum med'cinable , For sent and Salve most precious amiable . All these in thee flourish without defect : VVith these the Garlands of the Saints are dect , VVithout corruption they continue stil , And sprout and spring about this Sion hil . In thee 's that peace of God , which doth exceed Mans understanding and faith wavering Creed , There is that glory which doth all advance ; Obnoxious never unto change or chance . There 's that eternal light as sure as pure , That Sun of righteousness for ere t' endure . That white and bright blest Lamb of God most high , VVho shews and shines most clear incessantly , VVhich no time ever shal once terminate , Nor no disastrous chance extenuate , There 's day which never darkness doth admit . There in their bowers of pleasure Saints do sit . There also is certain security . There shalt thou find secure eternity . There all rare comforts from heav'ns glorious King Successively , successfully do spring . What ere the soul can wish , request , desire , Is there at hand without the least enquire : What ere thou lovest , there is to be found , Only , what 's il , comes not in this blest ground . Oh then , my soul , what pleasure infinite ? Oh what an Ocean of most sweet delight ? Yea , what a most profound and pure abyss ; Thus to behold the Lord of Lords , is this ? Thus to behold with ravisht admiration The Lords bright face with sacred contemplation : Yea , with thine eyes to see , what faiths dim eye On earth was never able to espie , Even that eternal trinity most blest , Which can by man no sooner be exprest ; Than Austines seeming Lad could powre or lade The mighty Ocean , into th' Shel he made Without a bottome , that his Shel to fil : No sooner can ( I say ) mans stupid wil : Til his corruptiod in-corruption be , This holy Mystery clearly know and see . But when thou mortal dost imortallize , When Christ my King , thy soul once happifies , Then shalt thou tast that God is good and gracious , Then shalt thou Live in this his house most spacious , Then shalt thou tast the spring of life most sweet , Then in the heav'ns thou shalt Christ Jesus meet , Then shal thy water of terrestrial griefe Be turn'd into the wine of sweet reliefe : Then shall thy Sobs be turned into Songs , Then shalt thou triumph for thy worldly wrongs ; O then in that most sacred glorious sight Is to be found the fulness of delight , Of wisdome , beautie , riches , knowledge pure , Of happiness for ever to endure , Of goodness , joy , and true Nobilitie , Of treasure , pleasure , and felicitie , Of all that merits love or admiration , Or worketh comfort , or sure contentation . Yea , all the powers , and powerful faculties Of soul and bodie shal partake likewise , Shal be sufficed with the ful fruition Of heav'ns eternal ternal glorious vision . God unto all his sacred Saints shal be Their universal sweet felicitie , Containing each particular delight Which may affect th' aspect of their blest sight : Infinite both for number and for measure , And without end shal be their endless pleasure . To th' eyes he shal be a Mirror cleer , Melodious Musick to delight the ear : To th' Palate he shal be Mellifluous Mell , Sweet spiring Balm for to refresh the Smel . Unto the understanding he shal bee A Light most bright and pure it'h high'st degree , To th' VVill he shal be perfect contentation , To th' Memory erelasting continuation . In him we also shal injoy , possess , What ever , various time could here express : Yea , all the beauties of his rarest creatures , VVhich may our love allure by their sweet features , All joy and pleasure to content the minde , Such at it'h creatures selves we nere could find . This sight ( I say ) is th' angels chiefest treasure , The Saint repast , repose and princely pleasure , This is their everlasting life , their crown , Their Meed , their Majestie , their high renown , This their rich rest , their spacious specious palace , Their outward , inward joy , and soveraign solace : Their Paradise divine , their Diadem , Their ample bliss , their blest Jerusalem ; Their peace of God past all imagination , Their ful beatitude and sweet salvation , To see him who them made , re-made , made Saints , Him seeing to possess without restraints : Possessing him to love him as their King , And loving him to praise him , as the Spring , And Fountain of this all felicity , And praising ever this blest ●nitie . O then my soul , cease not to like , to love , These admirable lovely joyes above : And though thy corrupt flesh is th' obstacle , And stays , delayes from this blest habitacle : Although thy flesh like churlish Nabal frown , Refuse the pains to seek this sacred crown : Yet let thy Spirit like good Abigal , Go forth to find this place angelical . Let Hagar , never get her Mistris place , Nor Ismael good Isaac , so disgrace ; But strive most strenuously , fight that good fight , Subdue thy flesh , withstand proud Satans might ▪ And with the eye of faith believe , desire To live with Christ , pray seek , sue and inquire ▪ Pray earnestly to Christ thy King above , In burning zeal , firm faith and burning love . For , what ●s this world ? nought but a flou●ing fanciesie , A theatre or vainness , pleasant phren● A sinc of sin , a shop of all deceit , Iniquities chief center and sure seat , A Map , a mirror of all miserie , A Dunge on of most dire calamitie , Lovely to look on like the Scarlet VVhore , But dangerous to deal with evermore : A mazie Labyrinth of impious errors , A camp of Cruelty , of tears and terrors , Constant in nought , but in inconstancy , And most unconstant in that constancie : In nought the same , save not to be the same , And of being , but a very name : Still floting , fleeting , never at a stay , Hates on the morrow whom it loves to day . Yea , t is a Ioab ful of craft and guile , Kills his Embracers with a traiterous smile . A Wrastler 't is , and trippeth up the heels , Of many a man ere he its grasping ●eels : Solomon wise , strong Sampson so renownd , It made their lengths to measure on the ground . Therefore to love the world , is nought els , sure , Then to her Lime-twigs thy poor soul t' allure , Which so the feathers of thy faith will marre , Thy soul , if 't may be , from heav'ns joyes to barre . Why then my soul , shouldst thou to the earth be thral , Which hast a heav'nly blest Original ? Why shouldst thou pin thy thoughts on mortal things Who art immortal from the King of Kings ? And , why shouldst thou a sp'rit invisible , Be pleas'd with things both gross and visible ? Striving to pamper thy corrupted bodie , Whose definition is indeed , that both-die : Both Soul and Body when the Flesh gives way To Sin and Satan in their dire decay . And hence it is , that Latinists likewise , Thus Corpus fitly crimologize : Cor which was once the heart of pure perfection , Is thus made Pus , all filth and foul infection . Why then shouldst thou then thy self so low depress , Who art of high caelestial Nobleness , One of thy Fathers first-born children deer ; Whose name in Heav'ns blest Records may appear . Why should the worlds falle promises delude thee , Since heav'n with grace & goodness hath indu●d thee . Wilt thou a Princes Son , a heavenly Prince , Let Satans gilded apples thee convince ? Wilt thou the Son of heav'ns all-sacred King , Offend thy father for so vile a thing ? Wilt thou thy birth-right Esau-like forge For one dire mess of broth , bewitching wo ! Oh. no! deceitful Dalilah a-dieu , Thy Syrens Songs , my soul doth most eschew . Thy Crocadile-like tears which would betray me , By heav'ns preventing-grace shal never slay me : For all thy bitter-sweets , false protestations , My soul esteemeth but hellish incantations . Wherefore as A●mon being once defiled With his own Sister , whom he had beguiled , After the fact , did hate her ten times more Then ever he had loved her before : So I , whom thy false friendship once defiled , VVhom thy deceitful ambush once beguiled : I hate , abominate thy mischief more , Then ere I lov'd or liked thee before . As sea-men Rocks , as Children Scorp●ons flie : So ( Oh my sou● ) hate worldly vanity : And , oh ! what 's he , that would not leave most glad Worlds vanities so finite , base and bad . For pleasures infinite : VVhat 's he would take Fraudulent joyes , and permanent forsake : None doubtless , none ; but Dastards void of grace , None but faint-hearted , fearful cowards base . The resolute couragious Christian bold , Dares deaths grim face confront , see and behold , Dares death defie , and his approach desire , Because by death , he knows he shal acquire The end of all his hope , for deaths the Key Which opes the door to true felicitie . Yea , 't is no pain , but of all pains the end , The gate of heav'n and ladder to ascend . And death 's the death of all his storms and strife , And sweet beginning of immortal Life . Therefore with smiling count'nance , merrily To heav'n his place of rest he casts his eye : And in his heart these thoughts are oft revolved , Unfeignedly I wish to be dissolved . To be with thee ( O Christ my Saviour sweet ) Thee my deer eldest brother for to meet . I see thee Christ , I see thee heav'nly home , I gladly would and quickly to thee come . I see thee , O thou Saints caelestial place , I much desire I once had run my race . But though I cannot with Elias run , i th' strength o' th spirit in this race begun , Unto the heav'nly Canaan : yet give Grace , Though I with Iacob halt , to halt apace : And if not so , yet that at least I may Like to an infant , learn to creep the way : And grow from strength to strength , from grace to grace , Until I come in presence of thy face . For I am weary of this pilgrimage , And long for thee my heav'nly heritage . How oft have I thee view'd with admiration ? How oft hast thou been my souls meditation ? How oft have I been ravisht with desire , That unto thee my soul might once aspire ? How oft have I been scorn'd and vili-pended Earths most unpleasant pleasures quickly ended ? Being compared to those joyes above , Which from my heart , my soul doth dearly love : My heart , my life , my bliss , my joy , my gem , My soules dear soul is New-Ierusalem . And now I come , my joyes I come to you , For whom , I did so often seek and sue . I pain and death do heartily imbrace , So that my soul amongst you may take place : Yea , though ev'n hel it self were in my way , And would my journey stop , disturb , or stay , I would it pass , and hazard hells annoy , To live with Christ in his caelestial joy . And , surely , since heath'nish Cleo● brotus Did seem ( but desp'rately ) so valorous , Hearing his Master Plato once discourse Of immortalitie : with furious force ( From an high Rock ) himself did head-long throw , In hope to be immortalized so : O how much rather then , I pray , ought I , Dying it'h Lord , a thousand death to die , To be inve●ted in that perfect glory , Shown an affur'd in truths most faithful Story ? He di'd in bare opinion , Souls blind-love , I die in saith and knowledg from above : He onely hop● to have immortal Life , I , for immortal rest and glory rife ; He went unsent-for , I am oft invited , Even Christ himself my soul hath oft incited : Incited oft , I say , with resolution , And Pauls firm faith , to wish for Dissolution . Shal then his Pagan-courage mine excel ? Shal fear of death my Christian-courage quell , Since my sure ground than his , is much more firm , And death to me is but my sorrows term ? And that my soul i' th end shall sure exult , Although the way seem somewhat difficult ? O no , my soul , be valorous and stout , With constant courage persevere , hold out . None fight but with a hope of victory : Thy fight wel finisht , brings eternitie . If one shoul say unto a Captain stout , Go forward with bold courage , fight it out ; Do but thy utmost , fight and give not over , For , thou in th end the conquest shalt recover . Would any David his Goliah flie ? From whom he 's sure to win the victorie . Would any Gideon such a fight refuse ? Could any valiant Ioshua , think you , chuse But enter combat with the proudest Foe ? Whom he with triumph surely shal orethrow . My Saviour sweet even thus to me hath said ; Take courage , Christian Souldier ben't afraid , Do thou thy utmost , Satan to with-stand : For I will be propitious at thy hand . Fight valiently and though thy Foes fierce might May hap to bring thee on thy knees i' th fight , May often foil thee by his crafty snare , Yea , though his claws were ready thee to tare , Yet I wil raise thee up , I le thee defend , And thou shalt sure be victor in the end . Who then ( I say ) what 's he would be so base , As not this proffer gladlie to imbrace ? Who could with vile pusillanimity , So free a Conquest coward like deny ? Shal do●ing Lovers for their Ladies fight , And for their sakes account all danger slight ! Shall Merchants venture both lives and goods , For wealth & pelf through th' Oceans dangrous floods ? Yea , shal the ship boy gladly undergo All hazards which or Sea or shore can show ? Onely in hope to gain a Masters place . And to obtain a cunning Pilots grace . And shal my Soul turn coward , ●ear and flie ? Shal not my soul controle that enemy ? Whom Christ my General first overthrew , And thereby all his subtilties wel knew : And knowing them hath taught me how to fight , Me to defend ; him offend , put to flight ; Yea , and hath promis'd heel assistant bee ; And in my weakness cause my foe to flee ; And underneath my feet pull Satan down , And me as victor , graciously wil crown . O then my soul ! stand stourly to 't and fear not , Christs sacred arms in vain about thee bear not . Fight this good fight , and let proud Satan know , Christ being Captain , thou'lt him overthrow , For , if Heav'ns King by grace be on thy side , Thou needst not fear what ere do thee betide : No danger sure , can in that Battel bee , Where thou for Christ , and Christ doth fight for thee . And here 's my comfort , this is my souls stay , That whether Satan wound or do me stay , Dye fleshly body , so my soul may live , Christ to my soul the Palm of grace wil give . But as a mighty Emp'rour which proclaims At some great Feast Olympick warlike Games , Wherein to him which proves the Conqueror , And doth the best exploits , this Emperor Wil give a crown , his valor to reward ; And him with Kingly favour wil regard . But not the Emp'rour unto him descends , But lie to th' Emp'rors Gallery ascends , There from his Princely hand to take the Crown , The triumph , trophy , of his high renown , Even so the Christian Souldier having gained The victory , for which he long had strained With all his power spiritual , to quel The rage of ray●nous sin , and Satan fel , Musts from the worlds Lists in a blessed end By death , Heav'ns glorious Gallery ascend , There , from the hands of Jesus Christ himself To take a Crown far passing worldly pelf ; A Crown of joy , even glories plenitude , A Crown of bliss , even heav'ns beatitude . Not as the Meede of his deserving merit , But as the free gift of Gods sacred Spirit ; For having done what ever I am able , Yet my best service is unprofitable . Only in mercy he is pleas'd to Crown His own good gifts in me to my renown . O! therefore death , shal be my welcome guest , Death , which translates from la Sour unto rest , From worldly sorrow , to heav'ns joyes encrease , From wo to weale , from trouble to sweet peace . From earth the stage of instability , To heav'n the fortress of true constancie . Go then you godless Heliogabolites , You drunken Vicars , proud cosmopolites , Go please your selves in swearing , feasting , fighting , And not what 's just , but what 's your lusts delight in . Go please your selves with rich and large extents Of wealthy Mannors , stately tenements , Grow proud to see your underlings beslaved , And by your greatness wrongfully outbraved , To see your ward-roabs stuft with proud apparel , Your mouths with oathes , your thoughts with strife & quarrel . To have variety of worldly pleasure , Delicate Gardens , Coffers ful of treasure . Treasure ( sa●d I ? ) nay white and yellow clay , Bewitching Mammon , Sin-bane , souls decay : Or if there 's ought that doth you more allure , Or which you would with more content procure , Use it , possess it , yet for all this know , You shall it all with shame and smart for go . Yea God wil take at deaths disastrous day , Your Lands ( your life ) your goods ( your Gods ) away . This , this ( alas ) did cause the Prophets cry , This mov'd S. Paul with zealous ard●ncy , 'gainst worldlings to cry out , and them accuse , That they themselves , their souls would so abuse , Such lying vanities so to respect , So sottishly their Souls health to reject , In Aegypt , straw and stubble for to buy , Yea Straw I say and chaffe , which finally Would their own house burn down and ruinate , And head-long them to hel precipitate . Whereas their saviour at a cheaper price Would sel them gold , pure gold , rare Merchandise , Even all the Golden joyes and sweet delight Of Paradise coelestial , sacred sight : That Pearl of blest salvation , which to buy The wisest Merchant would most joyfully Sel all his worldly treasure , earthly pelfe , With this rare jewel to enrich himself . And what 's his price ? O cheap , and nought else , sure , But what thou maist thy self with ease procure , Only thy heart , t is only this , he craves : This given to God , both soul and body saves , Not that thy God is better by the same , But thou made blest , to magnifie his Name , 'T is onely thine not his good , he desires ; And for this good he only thanks requires , Oh therefore silly , simple , sinful man , What greater madness ? tel me , if thou can ? Than such a proffer , fondly to refuse , Than death for life , for treasure , Straw to choose ; For precious liquor , Fountain water good , To choose foul puddles stinking ful of mud ; Oh more then mad men thus to take more pain ; Head-long to run to hel with might and main : Then even the holiest Sain is to go to heaven , Who oft with treats and threats are thereto driven . But ( 〈◊〉 my soul ) thy Saviours Counsel take ; O do not thou his bounty so forsake ! Go buy of him , give body , heart and all , To purchase this rare Gem angelicall . And with that royal Shepheard David say , O thou my soul trust in the Lord alway : Yea in his awe and Law take thou delight , O like , love , love look on this both day and night . Let it be thy arithmetick , alwayes To take account and number out thy dayes . A Deaths-head let thy chiefe companion be , An hour glass remembrancer to thee . Let thy chiefe study be continually , How to live wel , and blessedly to dye . So shalt thou ( O my soul ) most happy be , When thou of that blest Citie art made free , When thou , amongst that sacred hierarchie Shal sing sweet tones and tunes melodiously ; With heav●ns Psalmodical harmonious quire Of Saints and Angels zealous , hot as fire , The Diapason of whose heav'nly Layes Doth warble forth heav'ns due deserved praise , Where thou being grac't and plac't in heav'nly state , In precious pleasure ne're to ●erminate , Being sweetly rap't in heav'nly extasie , Christ and his Churches Epithalamy , My sainted foul with surged voice shal sing , To God in Christ my three-one heav'nly King : O happy Citizens enfranchis'd there ! O joyful quiristers singing so cleare ! Victorious souldiers thus to be trans-planted ! Where peace for war , where life for death is granted . Happy wert thou ( my soul ) most truly blessed , If thou wert once of this rare joy possessed : That then I might be fill'd and never fated With that rare sight , which once initiated ; Shal last for aye without times dissolution , Shal be most specious without all pollution . Therefore my heart ( as hart being chaft and chased By furious hounds most nimbly tract and traced ) Desires the water-brook his heat t' allay , That so refresht , he thence may scud away : Even so my heart ( O Lord ) desires to see Those Crystal streams of Life which slow from thee ! Sighes , sues , pursues , her Countrey to recover , Here abject , subject , too too triumpht over By my three fierce and furious enemyes : Who seek my soul t' insnare and sin-surprize , Even Satan that old hunter and his hounds , The quakers , Hectors which give my soul deep wounds . Who more like ravening wolves would fain devour And captivate my soul in hellish power , But thy preventing grace ( O spring of Grace ) Preserves my soul , dis-nerves their horrid chace ; And as a Bird out of the Fowlers Grin , And as Noes Dove looking to be let in , Into the Ark of thine eternal rest : My cyred soul is unto the addrest , My soul with worlds encumbrances oppressed ; Desires ( O Lord ) to be by thee refreshed , My soul doth thirst and hasteth to draw near , And longs before thy presence to appear , O tree of Life ! O ever-living spring ! Whose laud and praise the heav'nly hoast do sing ! O when shal I come and appear in sight Of thee , the S●n of righteousness most bright ? When shal my soul by thine all-saving hand , Be led with joy from forth this Des●rt Land ? When shal I leave this Wilderness of wo , Wherein my soul is tossed to and fro ? I sit alone ; as one a house the sparrow : i th' Vale and Dale of tears , fears , sighes and sorrow . O lead ( dear Christ ) my love-sick soul by th' hand , From this vast wilderness drie thirsty Land : To thy wine-Cellers , that I there may tast Of thy wine-flagons thou prepared hast . Comfort me with the apples of thy grace . With thy Hid-Manna strengthen my weak case . With heav'nly Milk and Honny ( Lord ) make glad My heart , which worlds afflictions hath made sad , O Let me once from wisedomes sacred Lip , Coelestial Nard , and Rosean Liquor sip . Yea , let me fatiare mine insariate thirst , With that sweet Milk wherewith thy Saints are noure't , I thirst , O Lord , I thirst , thou art the wel , O quench my thirst , and let me with thee dwel , I hunger , Lord , I hunger , thou are bread , Even bread of Life , O let my soul be fed . I seek thee , Lord , yet stil I go astray , Through high-waies , by-wayes , yet I miss the way : Thou art , ( O Lord ) the perfect way and dore , My soul wil follow , if thou go before . Direct my feet to leave the paths of sin , Ope glories gate , and let my soul go in . Let it be riches to me to possess thee ; Let it be gloy to me to confess thee ; Let it be clothes , Christ Jesus to put on ; Let it be food , his word to feed upon ; Yea , let it be my life , to live and dye , For Christ my King , and for his verity . So shal my riches be to me eternall , So shal my glory be with Christ supernal , So shal my clothing fril be fair and new , So shal my food be Manna heav'nly dew , So shal my life nere fade , but ever spring , Being stil preserv'd by Christ my Lord and King . But , oh alas ! when shal I see that day ? That day of gladness never to decay , That day of Jubile when all are glad , That day when all rejoyce , none can be sad ? Whose endless time and never fixed date , Eternity shal never exterminate . That Saints blest birth-day , which shal nere have evening That lasting day to which no night gives ending . That rare Grand-Iubile , that Feasts of feasts . Sabbaths of sabbaths , endless rests of rests : To which least care shal never dare come neare , Wherein the Saints shal shake of● palid fear . O pure , O pleasant , most desired day Of that eternal springing month of May ! In which my soul shal evermore rejoyce , In which my soul shal hear that happy voice , Enter ( blest soul ) into thy Masters joy , Enter into sweet rest without annoy ; Enter into the House of Christ thy King , Where peace and plenty mirth and joy do spring , Where thou shalt find things most to be admired , Where thou shalt have what most thy soul desired . Joyes infinitely , numberless , I say , And various pleasures infinitely gay : Unspy able , unspeakable by man , Immutable , inscrutable to scan ; Where I , thy soul wil feed , wil feast , wil fil : Feed with spiritual food of my blest wil , Feast with the dainties of delight most pure , And fil with glory which shal e're endure . Enter , I say , and hear that melody , Which comprehends dateless festivity . Where is all good , no evil to abuse : Where 's all thou wishest , nought thou wouldst refuse , Where 's life e're-living , sweet and amiable , Where is true fame and glory memorable , VVhere is , I say , certain security , Securest peace and peaceful pleasancie ; Most pleasant joy , and joyful happiness , Happy eternity , eternal Blessedness ; The blessed trinity in Unity : The Unities trine-one rare deity . The Deities three-one's most blessed Vision , Which is our Masters joy in ful● fruition . O joy of joyes , O joy beyond all pleasure ! Far passing far transcending terrene treasure . O joy without annoy , O true conten● O soveraign bliss , and souls sweet ravishment ! O everlasting Kingdome , supreme peace ! Where all the Saints enjoy such joyes encrease , Where all the Saints are clothed with pure Light , As with a Garment shining glorious bright : Their heads adorn'd with crowns of purest Gold , And precious stones most glorious to behold ; Whose only exercise is to rejoyce , To triumph , and to sing with sacred voyce , Sweet hallelujah to their soveraign King , Which them to this felicity did bring . Oh when shall my poore soul be made partaker Of this great joy , O thou my Lord and maker ! VVhen shall see thee in it , it in theee ? And therein dwel I in thee , thou in me ? Surely ( O Lord ) I wil make hast and fly , I le make no stay , but post most speedily . I le never cease to seek , til I have found , I le not leave knocking , til my soul be crown'd . I le ne're leave asking , til thou hast me given My boon , thy bounty , even those ioyes of heaven : Since then , I say , such is heavens majesty ! And since this world is but meere misery : VVhat is 't can hinder this my speedy pace , VVhich I must run , til I have run my race ; Can worldly power or principality ? Can kingly favours , wealth or dignity ? Can worldly pleasures , pleasant unto some ? Can height or depth , things present , things to come ? Oh no , with Paul I le all abominate , E're they shal me from Christs love seperate . I le cry avaunt you soul betraying joyes , Which Bee-like bring the sting of ●re annoyes . Avaunt , I say , worlds momentary pleasure , Worlds transitory toyes , Earths trashie treasure : The love of Christ hath so inflam●d my heart , That as I trust , it nere shal thence depart ; And , Lord , confirm , strengthen this Faith of mine , O let it never faint , fail , or decline . But wo to me , poor wretch , who still am fain Amongst the tents of Meshech to remain : To have my habitation mongst the rout Of Quakers most ungodly , stubborn , stout . The time me thinks , is much procrastinated , O that the date thereof were terminated . Ah me ! how long shall it be said to me , Wait , wait , expect , and thou the time shalt see ? And shalt thou see ? my soul thou art too blame , I must accuse thee ( O my soul ! ) for shame Think not the time too long count it not much , That with these tryals God thy faith should touch . For as a Goldsmith waits most carefully Upon his gold , which he i' th fire wiltry ; That when t is burnd enough and purifide ; It may not in the fire to wast abide : So God his children dear attends upon , When in the fire of dire affliction He purposeth to purifie and try them : When thus enough refined he doth spie them : By no means will he suffer them to wast , But for their comfort to them soon wil hast . As that most rare pair-Royal wel did know : Good Shedrach , Meshach , and Abednego : Whom he i' th Babylonian fire did prove , Yet so respected in his sacred love ; That not so much as one hair of their head . Was burnt or sindg'd , or once diminished . O then , my soul , if God have such a care , As from thy head not one small simple hair Can fall to th' ground , without his providence : O then have thou assured confidence , That he thy soul wil nere permit to perish , But in due time wil thee refresh and cherish ; And say with Iob , That than of God most just : Lord , though thou kil me , I wil in thee trust . Yea , then confess ( as t is ) that all the wo , Which in this life for Christ thou undergo ; That all earths torments or afflicting toyes , Are most unworthy heav'ns most blissful joyes . Heav'ns joyes for weight and measure infinite , Earths pains to death , but slender , small and slight . Heav'ns joyes most perfect , absolutely pure , Earths choicest pleasures pain and grief procure . Heav'ns joyes are sempiternal , everlasting , Earths joyes meere toyes , stil fleeting , ever wasting . O then ( my soul ) have patience , do not grudge , Lest so thou make thy Christ thine angry Judge : Give patience , Lord , thy sacred wil to bear , And then receive my soul , how , when , or where . For as no gold nor silver can be pure , Until the fires burning it endure : Nor Stones for Palace work can wel be fit , Til they with hammers oft be cut and smit : No more , I say , is'● possible that we Vessels of honour in Gods house can be : Til we be fin'd and melted in the fire Of worldly crosses and afflictions dire . Neither can we as living stones have place ; Jerusalems coelestial walls to grace ; Unless the hammers of Earths tribulation , Oft bruise the flesh to work the souls salvation . But though thy servants , Lord , may oft be tempted , Yet can they never finally be tainted , They ne're can be surpris'd , though oft assailed , For why , heav'ns safeguard hath them never failed . Christians and persecutions joyne together , Like Christ and 's cross , few calms much stormy weather Ere th' Israelites to th' Land of Promise came , Their temp'ral Canaan , Canaan of such fame ; Th' endur'd much danger , many miseries : And shal not I , most patiently likewise Endure all dangers , all anxiety ; Shal I not undergo all misery , In this my journey to heav'ns holy Land ; O yes , with constant courage to it stand . For why , I 'm sure the more I here endure , My joyes in heav'n shal be more pure . And who would not to heav'n go joyfully , Though with Elias he in whirl-winds flye ; Grant therefore , Lord , I take earths Nocuments As precious balm , as my souls Documents . Confirm my faith with constant resolution , To wait , and fit me for my dissolution : To wait for thee my Saviour , staff and stay , Til thou shalt change my bodies house of clay ; That like thy glorious Body it may be , That so thy power and glory I may see : That I may hear and see , and bear a part , In heav's heart-charming musick sacred art , In that rare comfort of Mel-Melody , At Christs rare Nuptials blest solemnity , Come then , Lord Jesus , oh , I cannot cease , To wish my soul in thine eternal peace , Give me , O Lord , good Stephens Eagles-eye , Through thickest clouds heav'ns glory to espye . Give me ( O Lord ) a voice angelicall , With Heart unfeigned on thee thus to call : How long ( O Lord ) how long wilt thou delay ? Lord Jesus come , come quickly , do not stay ; Make hast and tarry not , I thee intreat , And draw my soul from earth to heavenly seat , For why ? I fea● ( Lord falsifie my fear ) That Satan wil 'gainst me such malice bear , To cause my refractory flesh to stur My soul unto Rebellion : so t' incur Thy wrath and indignation for the fame , My stubborn flesh , therefore ( Lord ) curb and tame . O , free me from this Fleshly Prison strong , Wherein my soul hath fettered lyen too long : Fett'red I say , yea fest'red more 's my shame , More art thou fl●sh ; and much more I too blame , Who oft with Adam fondly have aspired , And with vain-glory led , have oft desired The fruit o' th' Tree of Knowledge for to eat , Not of the Tree of Life , more soveraign meat , And to be red in any other Book , Much pride and pleasure I have often took , Than in my Book of conscience , to behold , The wo whereinto sin doth me infold . With wontons I oft view'd Prides Looking-Glass , But not times Dyall , how my dayes did pass . Yea , on earths follies I have fixt mine eyes : Gazing on blaztng worldly vanities . Yet Lord I know that as thou hast a book , wherein my faults are writ on them to look : So thou a Bottle hast , wherein to keep My contrite tears , when I for Sin do weep . And though my self unworthy I agnize Unto thy throne to lift my finful eyes : Yet I my self unworthy do not find To weepe before thee til mine eyes be blind . Lord then vouchsafe , vouchsafe I thee beseech , An ear an answer to my souls sad speech . O come Lord Iesus , come I humbly pray . Speake peace unto my soul , O do not stay : Bind up my wounds , make whole my malady VVith the Samaratans sweet charity , Into my sore , powre thou the Oyle of gladness ; Revive my soul from sin constrained sadness . O bring my soul out of this mire and mnd , This sinck of sin where I too long have stood : Smite off my Fetters of iniquity , As thou didst Peters in captivity , Stop in me all the conduits of transgression , Break Satans weapons of my son's oppression , Yea , let my eyes be as continual Lavers To wash and clense sins ulcers stinking savours : For a clean Lord ( I know ) takes delectation , To have a clean heart for his habitation . Give therefore grace ( O Lord ) whiles here I live , That I a bil of due divorce may give Unto that harlo● sin , which too-too-long Hath by false Flattery done my soul much wrong , O , double , treble happy were I sure , If once I might put off sins rags impare , T●ose Menstruous cloathes wherewith I am disguised , VVhereby thine Image in mee 's not agnized : VVhereby in thy pure sight I am but loathed . O therefore that my soul might once be cloathed VVith thy most Royal Robes of righteousness , Thy seamel●ss , spotless Coat of Holyness , And therein be presented to the Sight Of my great Lord the Father of all Light , And be ingrafted and incorporate , Into this New-Ierusalems blest state , Ino this Kingdome evermore existing , Into this Kingdome all of joy consisting : Where all thy Saints and Sacred Angels reign , By thee their mighty Lord and soveraign , Cloathed in vestures of the purest white , Stil in the presence of thy sacred sight : Their heads adorn'd with Crowns of purest Gold , Of preecious stones , rich Pearls rare to behold . Thou Lord alone being the Diadem Of these thy Saints in this Ierusalem : Whose only sight , is their beatitude , Which duresfor aye without vicissitude . But Lord , it may be thou maist say to me , Alas , poor soul , wouldst thou my beauty see ? None ere could see the glory of my face And lives on earth , such is mans mortal case . Lord , thus I answer , and I this confess , That thy coelestial glorious , holiness Is so immense , so infinite , so rare , So great , so glorious gracious , specious , fair , That no flesh living can it see , and live , Yet to my soul ( O Lord ) this mercy give , That so it may behold thy sacred sight , Let death with thousand deaths my body smite ; So my poore Soul may see thy Majesty , Let death my breath , and Life end speedily . Oh then , I say , and ne're shal cease to say , O three-sold , four-sold happy , sure , as they , Who by a pious life and blessed end , By Christ , heav'ns Ladder , to heav'ns joyes ascend , Who for the minutes of Earths Lamentation , Enjoy heav'ns endless years of consolation , Who from this earthly prison are set free , And in heav'ns Palace live , O Christ , with thee : Yea , who being dead to sin and Earthly toyes , Are there in plenitude of perfect joyes , But oh most wretched miserable I , Who ( in the Flouds of worlds mortality , By huge heav'n-mounting , hel descending waves , By Rocks , Syrths , whirlpoles , al which seem my graves ) Am stil constrain'd to sail through dangers great , Which waters , winds , weather , together threat : And , which is more , I mosterroniously Through ignorance , oft wander clean away , I lose my way , and then am danger'd most , Not ●nowing whither my poor ship doth coast : Being thus expos'd to seas all jeopardies , Like Ionah , when from Ninive he flies , Tost to and fro , even into the Maw of hel , By furious hound which 'gainst me rage and swel : So that my way to th' Harbour of my rest Thus being lost my soul is fore opprest . But which is worst , whiles thus to thee I sail , I meet Sea-Monsters which do me assail : Resistful Remoraes do strive to stay me , And huge Leviathan gapes wide to slay me ; Lifes , toyes and troubles , Satans craft and power , Nould stay my voyage , and would me devour . Restless , redresse is thus I store about , Hnd for thy heavenly my soul cryes out . Wherefore Sea-calming , wind controlly Lord , To my perplexed soul thine aid afford ; For if thou wilt ( O Lord . ) thou canst me cherish : O therefore help , or else my soul wil perish . One Depth ( O Lord ) another in doth call , As waves break out and on each other fall : The depth of my calamity profound , Doth invocate thy Mercies which abound . I call and cry from many waters deep , My soul from sinking ( Lord ) preserve and keep . O keep me from these dangers imminent , Which have my silly soul on all sides pent , Let thine oustretched arm , upholding grace ; Once bring my soul unto her resting place , From floods or worldly infelicity , Into the ●ven of eternity . How long , O Lord , how long wilt thou prolong , Thy wrath● appeale and ease me , from among These d●death-threatning dangers ? O direct My way to thee , my 〈◊〉 to thee erect . My ●fidence re-plan in thee , I pray , That ●o these temp●sts may me not dismay ; That so these floods , though flow , may not com neer me That so these blasts , though blow , may not so fe●r me , Thou being my un-rocking rock , my shield , My fortress strong , which to no force can yeild , Most skilful Pilot , so my stern direct , My weather beaten boat , so safe protect , That it these dangers infinite may sh●n , And to my harbour may the right way run : Commiserate , compassionate my case , And in thine arms , O Christ , my soul embrace . Though I with Ionas seamen lose my wares , My goods , my life , worlds pleasures , best affairs ; Though persecution Rocks my Bark may batter , My danger driven boat may split may shatter ; Yet grant , O Lord , I may not shipwrack make Of my sure faith in thee ; but as the Snake Is said t' expose his body to the blow Of him that smites , to save his head : Even so I willingly may undergo all crosses , And with content may bear the greatest losses , That I may hold fast faith in Christ my head , So I may live by faith , to sin be dead . With this conclusion should my soul be cherisht , I had been undone , had I thus not perisht . Yea , with those Argo-Nautae willingly , My ship through straightest passages shal flye , So that in th' end I may with joy possess The Golden fleece of endless happiness . Lord , though the puddle of impurity Hath my poor soul polluted loathsomely The Ocean of iniquities foul flood Hath me beimeard in stinking mire and mud : O yet , sweet Christ , with Hylap of thy merit , Clense and make clean my sin-polluted spirit ; Wash me , o Christ , with thy most precious blood , None , nought but thou , can do my soul this good , My wel-nigh-shipwrackt soul , O Lord assist , VVhich too . too-long the way to thee hath mist . Contemn me not , condemn me not for sin , But let my Soul to thy sweet rest go in . Remit ( O Lord ) what I have il-omitted , Remove ( O Lord ) what I have mis-committeed . And though I be to pass by th' Gates of hel , Grant power to pass them , and with thee to dwel . To dwel I say with thee , i th' Land of Living , Where to thy saints thy joyes thou stil art giving . O thou my souls sweet soul , my Harts dear Hart , In this distress do not from me depart ; Be to my soul as a bright-morning-star , Which I may clearly see though somwhat far , And be , as th' art indeed , the sun most bright , Of righteousness , that my flesh-dimmed sight Being with Faiths Collyrium made more cleer , I speedily may see the way appear To my heart-chearing long desired port , Whereto my soul hath longed to resort , I may in time see , and fore-see sins charms , And so prevent th' event of Sins great harms , That on the shore I may perceive thee stand , Giving me aym with thy most sacred hand , To keep the right way to thine habitation , The heaven of happiness , and sure salvation . That passing thus this Danger-obvious Ocean , By thee the strong Arch-mover of each motion , I may go forward with such circumspection , And be so guided by thy good direction , And with thy grace be so corroborated , And with Rock-founded faith so animated , That as 'twixt Scylla's and Charib●is fear , My Bark in passage doth a ful sail bear : I mean proud Pharisaical Self-station , And graceless Diffident , Cains desperation , By th' justified Publicans example , I may the right regenerate paths trample Of that true penitent good Prodical , To thee ( O Lord ) for mercy cry and call , That by thy gracious guide and safe tuition , I may escape despairs and prides perdition , And so with joy , with joy unut●erable , Approaching to the shore most amiable : Casting the anchor of a constant hope On Christ my Saviour , fastned with faiths rope , I may my Merchandizes bring a-Land , And put them into my sweet Saviours hand ; Even all the gains which I poor soul had made Of this good Talent lent to me to trade : To whom although I bring but one for five , Yet will he not my soul of heaven deprive . And though that one through mine infirmitie , Hath been much blemish't with impurity , Hath been disgrac't , defac't , and much abused , Yet by my Christ it wil not be refused , But graciously hee 'l take my wil for deed , Wil hold me by the hand and thus proceed : VVell done , good Servant , worthy of my trust , Wel done ( I say ) thy service hath been just ; Since thou in little matters hast done well , Thou shalt be Lord of things which far excel . Since thou to do my Will hast done thy best , Come , come with me into thy masters rest . Even so Lord Iesus , come I humbly pray , For thine Elects sake hast that happy day . I look , I long , that I might once deserie That happy Day , my soul to happyfie : That I with thee ( my Saviour ) may rejoyce , That with heart-cheering musick and sweet voice , In that blest Chorus sweet , Angelical Society of Saints celestial , I , Halleluiah , Halleluiah may Sing cheerfully to God the Lord alway ; To God the Father , Son , and Holy Ghost , Unto the Trine-One Lord of Host . To this great God be given all thanks and praise , For his sweet succour in these sacred Layes . Amen . FINIS . — Omnis Gloria solus est Domini . Thrice happy Vision , more thrice happy zeal , Thus flames us with God , Saints , Heav'ns Commonweal . To the good , godly , and ingenuous Reader . GEntlemen , This Book was written for you , & for none ●ut you ; any that are malicious , wicked , and corrupted with any deadly sin , in no wise let him presume with Uzza to touch the Ark lest he die . It is inchanted with white Magick , the Angel of righteousness doth and wil protect it , the spirit of the air his seal & plannet ; Sachiel his , s●irit , and Zebul his Region , the Mild south , Winde bloweth peace and concord , to those I mean , such as it is dedicated to , and none but honest , good , moral , discreet men may read it , whose lives are devoted to the service of God , and in whose hearts there is no guile , to such this book is given . Excuse my absence from the Press , ( Which causeth me thus to express ) Reader , If you with any errors meet In this or that , or the other sheet , You must therefore the Printer blame , For he did all these errors frame . 
A19907	----	The muses sacrifice Davies, John, 1565?-1618. 1612 Approx. 577 KB of XML-encoded text transcribed from 185 1-bit group-IV TIFF page images. Text Creation Partnership, Ann Arbor, MI ; Oxford (UK) : 2003-03 (EEBO-TCP Phase 1). A19907 STC 6338 ESTC S316 22266963 ocm 22266963 25290 This keyboarded and encoded edition of the work described above is co-owned by the institutions providing financial support to the Early English Books Online Text Creation Partnership. This Phase I text is available for reuse, according to the terms of Creative Commons 0 1.0 Universal . The text can be copied, modified, distributed and performed, even for commercial purposes, all without asking permission. Early English books online. (EEBO-TCP ; phase 1, no. A19907) Transcribed from: (Early English Books Online ; image set 25290) Images scanned from microfilm: (Early English books, 1475-1640 ; 1750:1) The muses sacrifice Davies, John, 1565?-1618. [24], 172 [i.e. 344] p. Printed by T.S. for George Norton, and are to be solde at his shoppe, vnder the Blacke-bell within Temple-barre, London : 1612. In verse. Running title: The muses sacrifice, or, Diuine meditations. Dedicatory verse signed: Iohn Dauies of Hereford. Signatures: [3 stars]⁴ A-Y⁸ Z⁴. Engraved t.p. Pages numbered on recto only. Numerous errors in paging. Reproduction of original in the University of Illinois (Urbana-Champaign Campus). Library. Created by converting TCP files to TEI P5 using tcp2tei.xsl, TEI @ Oxford. Re-processed by University of Nebraska-Lincoln and Northwestern, with changes to facilitate morpho-syntactic tagging. Gap elements of known extent have been transformed into placeholder characters or elements to simplify the filling in of gaps by user contributors. 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Keying and markup guidelines are available at the Text Creation Partnership web site . eng Religious poetry, English -- Early modern, 1500-1700. 2002-11 TCP Assigned for keying and markup 2002-12 SPi Global Keyed and coded from ProQuest page images 2003-01 Olivia Bottum Sampled and proofread 2003-01 Olivia Bottum Text and markup reviewed and edited 2003-02 pfs Batch review (QC) and XML conversion The MVSES Sacrifice TO THE MOST NOBLE , and no lesse deseruedly-renowned Ladyes , as well Darlings , as Patronesses , of the Muses ; LVCY , Countesse of Bedford ; MARY , Countesse-Dowager of Pembrooke ; and , ELIZABETH , Lady Cary , ( Wife of Sr. Henry Cary : ) Glories of Women . THE Muses , sacrifice ; I , consecrate ; They , vnto Heau'n ; I , to you , heau'nly THREE : They , my poore Heart ; I , my Loues rich Estate , together with my Rimes , that rarer be . But what can be more rare than richest Loue , sith so rich Loue is , now , so rarely found ? Yes ; measur'd-words , that , out of measure , moue the Soule to Heau'n , from Hel that 's most profound ! A vexed Soule for Follies , that betray the Soule to Death , some call the nether Hell : Thence moue my Measures ; and , doe make such way , that they all Lets to giue way , doe compell . These Rarities , which my poore Soule confines , her treble - Zeale to you ( three Graces ) brings For Grace , as glorious as the Sunne that shines ( as bright , as chearefull ) on inferiour Things . Such Grace you haue , by Vertue , and by Fate , as makes you Three , the Glory of these Times ; The MVSES Darlings , and their Chaires of STATE ; Shapers , and Soules of all Soule-charming Rimes ! BEDFORD , the beaming-glory of thy HOVSE that makes it Heau'n on Earth , thy Worths are such , As all our WITS make most miraculous , because thy WIT and WORTH doe worke so much . For , WIT and SP'RIT , in Beauties Liuery , doe still attend thine all-commanding EYES ; And , in th' Achiuements of thine Ingenie , the glosse thereof , like Orr , on Sable lies . The Wombe that bare thee , made thy noble Breast abound with Bountie , yer thou knew'st thy Fate ; Where furnisht was that Bountie with the best of Honors Humors , giuing Her the Mate . For which , all Poets Plowes ( their Pennes ) doe plow the fertil'st Grounds of ART ; and , in the same , Thy still-increasing Praises ( thicke ) doe sow , to yeeld Aeternitie thy Crop of Fame ! PEMBROKE , ( a Paragon of Princely PARTS , and , of that Part that most commends the Muse , Great Mistresse of her Greatnesse , and the ARTS , ) Phoebus and Fate makes great , and glorious ! A Worke of Art and Grace ( from Head and Heart that makes a Worke of Wonder ) thou hast done ; Where Art , seemes Nature ; Nature , seemeth Art ; and , Grace , in both , makes all out-shine the Sunne . So sweet a Descant on so sacred Ground no Time shall cease to sing to Heau'nly Lyres : For , when the Spheares shall cease their gyring sound , the Angels then , shall chaunt it in their Quires . No Time can vaunt that ere it did produce from femine Perfections , so sweet Straines As still shall serue for Men and Angels vse ; then both , past Time , shall sing thy Praise & Paines . My Hand once sought that glorious WORKE to grace ; and writ , in Gold , what thou , in Incke , hadst writ : But Gold and highest Art are both too base to Character the glory of thy Wit ! And didst thou thirst for Fame . ( as all Men doe ) thou would'st , by all meanes , let it come to light ; But though thou cloud it , as doth Enuy too , yet through both Clouds it shines , it is so bright ! Where bright DESERT fore-goes ; a spurre is Praise to make it runne to all that glorifies : Of such Desert , i● ought eclipse the Rayes , it euer shames FAMES publicke - Notaries . CARY ( of whom Minerua stands in feare , lest she , from her , should get ARTS Regencie ) Of ART so moues the great-all-mouing Spheare , that eu'ry Orbe of Science moues thereby . Thou mak'st Melpomen proud , and my Heart great of such a P●pill , who , in Buskin fine , With Feete of State , dost make thy Muse to mete the Scenes of Syracuse and Palestine . Art , Language ; yea ; abstruse and holy Tongues , thy Wit and Grace acquir'd thy Fame to raise ; And still to fill thine owne , and others Songs ; thine , with thy Parts , and others , with thy praise ▪ Such neruy Limbes of Art , and Straines of Wit Times past ne'er knew the weaker Sexe to haue ; And Times to come , will hardly credit it , if thus thou giue thy Workes both Birth and Graue . Yee Heau'nly Trinary , that swayes the State of ARTS whole Monarchie , and WITS Empire , Liue long your Likes ( vnlike ) to animate ( for all Times light ) to blow at your Arts Fire . For , Time now swels , ( as with some poysonous Weede ) with Paper-Quelkchose , neuer smelt in Scholes ; So , made for Follies Excesse ; for , they feede but fatten not ; if fatten , t is but Fooles . What strange Chime●aes Wit , ( nay Folly ) frames in these much stranger Times , weake Wits t' affright Besides themselues ! for , Wits Celestiall Flames , now spend much Oyle , yet lend but little Light ! And what they lend , is ( oft ) as false , as small ; so ( to small purpose ) they great Paines doe take But to be scorn'd , or curst , or loth'd of all that , by their false-light , foulely doe mistake . For , to giue Light that leads light Men awry , is Light that leades to Darknesse ; then such , Light Were better out , than still be in the Eye of Men , that ( so ) doe , lightly , runne from RIGHT . For , while such Light doth shine , the Multitude ( like Moates in Sunne ) with their Confusion plaies ; Not weighing , o'er their Heads , how Errors Cloud the while , doth threat , t'o'er-whelme them many waies . By pouring downe the Haile of hard Conceits gainst God and Goodnesse , that doe batter both : Or else , by saddest Showres of darke Deceits , borne as the fickle Winde of Fancy blowth : By Lightning ; that doth still more hurt than good ; while Errors Thunder-claps make sowre the sweet ( Yea , sweetest ) drinke of Nature ( our best Bloud ) that doth with Melancholy-madnesse meet . By all that may ( at least ) giue some offence to complete Vertue , Wisedome , Wit , and Art : For , Ignorance , hath oft more Insolence , than puffing Knowledge to take Errors part . Disease of Times , of Mindes , Men , Arts , and Fame , vaine Selfe-conceit , how dost thou ply the Presse Of People and the Printer , with thy shame , clad in the Coate of Fustian-foolishnesse ? For , all that but pretend t' haue Art or Wit , so trauell with Conceit , amisse conceiu'd , That , till the Presse deliuer them of It , their Throwes are such as make them Wit-bereau'd ! Yet , if the Issue of their crazed Braines doe chance ( though monstrously ) to com● to light ; Lord ! how they hugge it , like the Ape that straines her young so hard , in loue , as kils it quite . What Piles of Pamphlets , and more wordy Bookes , now farse the World ! wherein , if Wisdome look● , She shall see nothing worthy of her Lookes , vnlesse the idle Likenesse of a Booke ! But WIT 's most wrong'd by priuiledge of Schoole : for , Learnings Drunkards now so ply the Pot ( Of Incke I meane ) Posteritie to foole , as shames Wits Name , although they touch him not . Some that but looke into Diuinitie with their left Eye , with their left Hand do write What they obserue , to wrong Posteritie , that by this Ignis fatuis roame by Night . Some search the Corpes of all Philosophie , and eu'ry Nerue and Veyne so scrible on , That where it should be Truths Anatomie , they make it Errors rightest Scheleton . Some others on some other Faculties , still ( fondly ) labour , but to be in Print : ( O poore Ambition ! ) so , their Folly flies abroad the World , like Slips , that shame their Mint . But Poesie ( dismall Poesie ) thou art most subiect to this sou'raigne Sottishnesse ; So , there 's good Cause thou shouldst be out of heart , sith all , almost , now put thee vnder Presse . And Wit lies shrowded so in Paper-sheetes , bound Hand and Foote with Cords of Vanities : That ( first ) with all Obscuritie it meetes ; so , t is impossible it ere should rise . But you● Three Graces , ( whom our Muse would grace , had she that glory , that our Philip had , That was the Beautie of Arts Soule and Face ) you presse the Presse with little you haue made . No ; you well know the Presse so much is wrong'd , by abiect Rimers that great Hearts doe scorne To haue their Measures with such Nombers throng'd . as are so basely got , conceiu'd , and borne . And , did my Fortunes not expose me to contempt of Greatnesse , sith so meane I am , I should , with Greatnesse , greatly scorne it too , sith Fame for Versing , now , is held but Shame . But , in that Veyne lies not that Maladie ; no , It is sound , and holds Arts purest Bloud , Which therein flowes to each Extremitie of Arts whole Body , for the publike-good . Here-hence it came , that diuine Oracles ( Apollos Dialect , great God of Art ) Were still exprest in measur'd Sillables , sith squarest Thoughts most roundly they impart . In which respect it's meet'st to make Records of memorable Accidents of Time : Of Princes Liues , and Actions of great Lords : which Poets , first , did Chronicle in Rime . Nay , they were first that Natures Workes obseru'd , and Bookt it out for young Philosophers : Yea , they were first , by whom , is still conseru'd the knowledge of Heau'ns motions , and the Starres . Who sought to finde each Substance separate , and , in their curious Search , sound what they were ; And , to the Life , did them delineate on Arts faire Front , that there , more faire , appeare ! Then , Poets were the first Philosophers ; first State-obseruers , and Historians : First Metaphickes , and Astronomers , yea , first Great-clarks , and Astrologians . And , therefore , were they , in the Worlds first Age , pow'rfull'st Perswaders ; whose sweet Eloquence : ( That euer , staidly , ranne from holy Rage ) was the first Rethoricke sprung from Sapience . For , should we giue this Empresse but her due , ( Empresse of speech that Monarchizeth Eares ) We must confesse , she can all Soules subdue , to Passions causing Ioy , or forcing Teares . It is a Speech of most Maiesticke state , that makes Reas'ns Forces not to be with-stood : The Tethys , that doth still predominate th'outragious Ocean of our boyling bloud ! For , it doth flow more fluent from the Tongue . and , in the flowing , carries all with it , Which but attempts the Torrent to impugne and Rockes of Art remoues , to Seas of Wit ! Succinct it is , and easier to retaine ( which with our Wits and Wils doth ●est agree ) Than Prose , lesse subiect to iust Measures Raigne : for , Prose from Measures Rule is ( loosely ) free . And , for it 's ofter vs'd , it cloyes the ●a●e ; nor so compos'd of Measures Musicall ; And not allow'd that Beautie Verse mu●● beare , nor yet the Cadence so Harmonicall . It 's not adornd with choise of such rich Words , which heau'nly Poesi● gracefully doth heare ; Nor licens'd that fine phra●e ▪ Art Verse affords , then , to diuinest Spirits it should be deare : For , t is the Honie of all Rethoricks Flow'ers , the Quintessence of Art , and Soule of Wit ; Right spirit of Words , true phrase of Heau'nly Pow'rs ; and , in a Word ; for Heau'n , all-onely , fit . But Time these Times , it seemes , in Malice chose , to mischiefe Poets ; for , it ne'er brought ●orth To this wilde World ( mad-merry still in Prose ) such worthy Poets , yet so litt●e worth . And , how should they be otherwise ? for , they can twist no Lines , that hold eternall Rime , On Rockes of Art ; but much Time turnes away ; so , get but Fame and Famine in that Time. For , Time they spend in that which none regards , but such as would , but can no Larges giue : While other Arts , more poore , get rich Rewards : so , Phoebus Sonnes , by Luster , onely , liue ! The Painter , that is Master of his Skill , and but with Earthly Coulors paints ( alone ) Meere Formes of Beasts , hath oft Reward at Will ; but , Poets Paintings , though diuine , haue none . But Painters , sith to Poets they draw nye , ( saue that they draw inne Gold ( vnlike them ) still ) And , paint so liuely in dumbe Poesie , I wish their gaine as great as is their Skill . For , Pictures speake , although they still be dumbe ; and what they cannot speake , they recompence With Demonstration ; so , can Soules o'er-come , as soone by silence , as by Eloquence . But Trades ( that doe but Case the Corps aright with our owne Cost , ( which oft they tei●h , at least ) But aske and haue : when they that clothe the Sp'rit in Vertues Robes , are paid but with a Ieast . Which Iesters Memories I wish may be 'mong Trencher-Bustons , Fooles , and Naturals , Preseru'd by Poets for Posteritie to weepe or laugh at , as the Humor fals . For , Poets best preserue the fame or shame of good or bad ▪ sith with their pow'rfull Penne , They giue the Vertuous an immortall Names ; but , make the vicious liue , still loth'd of Men. No earthly Matter ( howsoeuer wrought , though it ( withall ) be rais'd aboue the Clouds ) Can Fame vphold , but it will fall to nought : for , Earth , in Time , her brauest Buildings shrouds . Those Threatners of the Skye , proud Ilium , Byrza of Carthage , Towre of Babilon , Where are they now , with all their state , become ? are they not all , to all Confusion gone ? Where 's Neroes golden-Palace , that drew drye ( had it been● liquid ) freest Founts of Gold ? Asinius Pollioes Court of Liberty , so rare for state , are now turn'd both to Molde . Nay , that proud Pyramed is come to nought , that , pight neere Memphis , seem'd to proppe the Skie , Whereon , three-hundred-threescore-thousand wrought full twenty Yeeres , before it rought so hie ! Some Authors say , the Ground-worke of the same tooke vp an hundred Furlongs in the Round : Which higher rose , aspiring , like a Flame , yet now , of this , no Sparke is to be found . Much lesse doth any Author testifie what King ( of Fame desirous ) rais'd the same : A most iust plague to checke their vanitie , that so-in Lime and Stone , entombe their Name . What rests of Scaurus Amphitheater , than which , I wot not whether all the Cost Caligula and Nero did conferre on all their Buildings , most admir'd , were most ! The Scene whereof , three Stages did containe , whereon three hundred Collumnes and threescore Of rarest Marble ( deckt with many a Veyne of orient Coulors ) held vp eyther Floore . Which Pillers , eight and thirty Foote in height , were each but of one Piece , in each Degree ; Wherein an hundred thousand people might be plac'd , secure , the Spectacles to see . And ( in the midst ) the Stage was all of Glasse , made thicke , to beare the Actors waight thereon ; Three Thousand Copper-statues all did grace ; besides some Gold , and some refulgent Stone ! And onely for a Month ( no longer then the Playes were playing ) was it to endure : Yet , being but a Romane Cittizen that made it such , his Fame still sutes his pow'r . The rather sith he , to adorne the Muse , this Cost bestow'd ; or else ( perhaps ) his Fame Had beene , with Neroes , much , but monstrous ; the Muse alone then , well renownes a Name . Yet , now her Agents are so poore become in Minde and state , that , for an abiect Fee , They 'l honor ( to their shame ) but HONORS skum ; yea , Deifie a Diu'll , if he be free . But , strong Necessitie constraines the same , ( as Israels Singer did the Shew-bread eate By like constraint ) yet , they are Lords of FAME ; and , where they charge with it , there 's no retreit . For , though Time-present see it mis-bestow'd , yet if Wits Engine it doe rarely raise , Of Times to come , It shall be so allow'd , that both the prais'd and praiser , they will praise ! Yet , speake a Language ●ew doe apprehend ; so few affect it : for , wee nought affect , But what our Vnderstandings comprehend ; no maruell then the most this Art neglect . Nay , were 't but so , yet Poesie still should finde some grace with some , whom Art makes great , of vile : But now such thinke , it but distracts the Minde ; for , broken-Braines such great-Ones Poets stile . Vnfit for serious vse , vnfit for all that tends to perfect Mans Felicitie ; Light , idle , vaine , and what we worse may call , yea , though it were the Skumme of Vanitie . And would these Truths were all true Falacies , ( though Poets used to none of these incline : For , personall faults are not the Faculties , that is not onely faultlesse , but diuine . ) But t is too true in many that professe the Art ; though Leaden Lumpes : for , none can swim In Helicon without that Happinesse , which , from his Mothers Wombe , he brought with him . And , t is as true if Grace and Gouernment , doe not containe the Minde , in Raptures high , But it , of Wit , may make so large extent , as it may cracke the strongest Ingenie . So may it doe in other Mysteries , and that which we most praise , may most impeach : Diuinitie it selfe may soon'st doe this , if Grace with-hold not from too high a Reach . Then , let this Arte ( which is the Angels speech ) ( for , to the High'st they speake in nought but Hymnes , Which , in the Wombe , they doe true Poets teach ) be freed from speech , that but her glory dimmes . Then let the ignorant-great-highly base reuile her ne'er so much , they but bewray Their owne Defects therby , and giue but grace to Folly , darkned with Arts glorious Raie . But no great Spirit ▪ ( whose temper is diuine , and dwels in reall - GREATNES ) but adores The Heau'nly MVSE , that in Arts Heau'n doth shine like Phoebus , lending Light to other Lores . To you therefore ( that Arte predominate great in your Vertue , Skill , and Fortunes too ) My Muse held meet'st these Flights to consecrate , sith you most grace the Muse in most you doe . And as the Sunne doth glorifie each Thing ( how euer base ) on which he deignes to smile : So , your cleare Eyes doe giue resplendishing to all their Obiects be they ne'er so vile : Then , looke on These and Me , with such a Glance , That both may shine through your bright Countenance . The vnfained louer , honorer , and admirer of your rare Perfections , Iohn Dauies of Hereford . The Sacrifices of God are a contrite Spirit : A contrite and a broken Heart , O God , thou wilt not dispise . Psal. 51.17 . A Broken Heart ( deare LORD ) thy Grace respects , as Loues best Sacrifice ; the , breake my Heart To make it sound thereby , in his Affects ; and Sinne ( that wounds It still ) from It to part . How is it ( Lord ) that who so seekes thy Face must with the whole-heart se●ke the same to see ? Yet Broken-hearts as soone doe get thy Grace ; so , whole or broken , are all One to Thee . Then , breake my heart , to make it whole ; that so ( being broken quite , and made whole afterward ) It , in thy Kingdome , still may currant goe , made flat to take thy Print , with Pressures hard : That , though the Fiend abuse thy Forme in mee , It , through thy Test , may currant passe to Thee . Another of the same . AS in the Sacrifices of the Law , there was an Alter , Priest Host , Fire and Wood : So This to That , in likenesse neere doth draw ; and wants but holy - Fire to make it good . The Alter , is my Hope ; the Host , my Heart ; the Priest , my Faith ; my Loue , the Fu●ll is : All these ( ô Lord ) are ready ; but the Art to fire the Fuell , wants ; then , doe thou This. I am but Passiue in this holy Act , Thou the sole Agent : yet , ô make me fi● To worke with thee together in this Fact , with all the Forces of my Will and Wit : And sith ( deare ●o●d ) all things so ready be , Giue Fire , to sacrifice my Heart to Thee ! Another . DEscend sweet hallowed Fire from that high FLAME that euer burnes in LOVES eternall Brest ; consume this Sacrifice , and let the rest Licke vp my Teares for Sinne about the same : That Mis-beleeuers thereby still may know There is no GOD but he that fir'd it so . I am no Prophet , Seër , Saint , nor ought , that may expect such Fauour ; but a Wretch made meeke by Sinne ; yet Hands of Faith doe stretch To thee , whom men prophane , doe set at nought : If Faith then , with thee worke this wondrous Feate , They will confesse my God as good , as great ! To ouer-curious Critiques . YEe ouer-curious Eyes ( that nought can please produc'd by Art or Nature ) ô auert Your All-deprauing-banefull lookes from these pure Flames , that sacrifice our dying Heart . Here are no Nouels ( which yee most d●s●re ) nor ought vnvsuall ; but , here shall you see What hath beene said of old , in new Attire , with our Thoughts interlac'd ; so , ours they be . The Spider-webbe , which in her Wombe is bred , we prize no more for that : nor , estimate Pure Honie lesse , for being gathered from many Sweets ; nay , more ( much more ) for that : What we haue gather'd , is from others Flowres ; And , what is added , is from sweet'st of ours . To the Indifferent Readers . TO pray , in measur'd Sillables , is strange , Familiars with peruersenesse may conceiue : But PIETIE her selfe , allowes this Change ; and , for our Learning , doth Example leaue . Her Friend ( sweet Psalmist ) sung his Soules-Conceits in sacred Numbers ; and , the Heau'ns did Charme With pow'rfull Verse : so , those commanding - Heights , he wanne but with his Muses mighty Arme ! All Christian - Churches ( howsoe'er a● ods ) with Psalmes & Hymnes beate Heau'ns resounding Wall : Nay , more , the Pagans sing vnto their Gods ; and , which is most , the Angels most o● all : Then , sith both Heau'n aud Earth This still doe vse , He shames himselfe that for this blames our Muse. The Author , of , and to his Muse. MY Muse is tirde with tyring but on Leaues that fruitlesse are ; yet , leaue ill fruits behinde : Shee onely workes for Ayre , that but deceiues : so , workes for nothing , but deceitfull Winde . And what she seiseth , as her Subiect , is but vaine , if it be light ; and lightly what Shee preyes vpon , is such : then , now on This , shee needes to pray , for preying so on That . O Muse , didst thou but know thy natiue kinde , ( being all diuine ) thou ne'er would'st waue thy wings In that which doth but onely marre the Mind ; but , endlesly , about Celestiall Things . Th'wilt be deplum'd for pluming so on Trash , and ( like a Flesh-●lye ) lighting but on Sores ; Then , in Arts fairest Founts , thy Feathers wash , to flye to him that Heau'n and Earth adores ! Thy Raptures else , are but such Rauishments , as are reproachfull , penall , lewde , and light : But Raptures farre aboue the Elements , doe shew thy Vertue in the fairest ●light . O then , thou great vnlimitable Muse , ( that rests , in motion , in th'ETERNALS Breast ) Inspire my Muse , with grace her pow'r to vse in nought , but what to thee shall be addrest : So shall that Spirit that made thy Dauid sing , Make Dauies too , ( a Begger ) like a King. THE MVSES SACRIFICE . A Confession of sinnes , with petition for grace . O Trinall Vnion , God creating Gods , O sole resistles all-effecting Pow'r , When wilt attone twixt mee and thee the ods ? Till when , eternall I account each how'r . I am ( O Lord ) thy Creature re-created ; Made , marr'd , re-made , by Loue , by Sinne , by Grace : Shall Loue , and Grace , by Sinne be so defeated , That Loue should lose her labor ; Grace , her place ? Thou art the Salue , and I the mortall Sore ; Yet with one touch , thy vertue can reuiue me : To heale this Sore , a Speare thy heart did gore , ( Kinde Pelican ) that thy Bloud might relieue me , Thy Hands that form'd , reform'd , and me conform'd Were to a Crosse transfixed for my sake , To help my hatefull hands that sinne inorm'd ; Then can those helping Hands their Cure forsake ? Thy Head was crown'd with Thorny Diadem , To cure mine , crown'd with Sinnes sweet-pricking Roses : Thy body ( ah ) did bloud & water streame , To wash away Sinnes soile which mine encloses . Thy Feete was crosse-wise nailed to a Crosse , To heale mine , swolne with running into vice : On thy saire Skin whips did my Crimes engrosse , So freedst thou me from them with bloudy price . Then can such Loue now leaue the thing it lou'd ? Is Sinne so sowre to turne sweete Loue to Hate ? To dye for Sinne , it thee alone behou'd , And yet shall Sinne thy Deaths desert abate ? O God forbid ; sith Sinne , and Death , and Hell , Thou on the Crosse didst conquer throgh thy death , And by the pow'r thereof their pow'r didst quell To lowest deepes , and it restrain'd beneath . Besides , thou saist ( but Truth what canst thou say ? ) A Gulph is set the two Extreames betweene ; Twixt Heauen and Hell no entercourses may ( By meanes thereof at any time ) be seene . I am in Heauen ; for , in thy glorious Wounds By Faith I hide me , from Sinne , Death and Hell : If Sathan ( for my plague ) would breake his bounds , Those Gulphes of grace to stay will him compell . Then keep me in thy Wounds ( my soules sole heau'n ) From whence if out-cast , I to Hell must fall ; Where out-cast-like of Hope shall be bereau'n : If reft of Hope , then reft of Help withall . But help me ( Lord ) else hopelesse shall I be ; Thy help the hopefull neuer faild at need : Then , sith my hope of help alone 's in thee , Let speedy help my ready hope succeed . Vpon thine Hand thine hand hath writ my Name ; Then reade thy Hand , and saue me by the same . A Sinners acknowledgement of his Vilenesse and Mutabilitie . SPare me ( deare Lord ) my daies as nothing be , Consum'd in Sin , then which is nothing worse : Yet Sinne is nothing : yet can well agree With nothing but thy vengeance and thy curse . Yet is it that , without which none can liue , Sprong from our Proto-parents ( rootes of strife ) Linckt to that Curse ; that Life a crosse doth giue , not crosse of Life , but crosse in Booke of Life . Then happy that , that Life yet neuer had ; ( Life that still subiect is to such a crosse ) And haplesse I that liue in life so bad , Where life is found with lifes eternall losse . Ah what am I , but slime , durt , dounge and dust , Graue-monste●s food , Wormes pittance ( most impure ) Sprong frō the earth & vnto earth that must ? How , where , or when , I ( sure ) am most vnsure . Abortiue Brat of damn'd Concupiscence , Hels heire , Heau'ns hate , eternall food for Fire , A Gulph of griefe , and Sincke of foule offence , Scum of vaine Pride , and froth of damn'd Desire : Copesmate of Beasts , and to a Beast transform'd , A Dungeon darke , a loathsome Lumpe of Earth , Fardle of filth , prodigious , foule , deform'd , Dishonours vassaile , cursed childe of Wrath : Patterne of Vice , and Mould of Vanitie , Made of the Molde that marres what ere it makes ; Errors misse-maze , where lost is Veritie , Or blinded so , that still wrong course it takes : A Bramble Bryer , an vse-lesse barren Plant , A Dogge , a Hogge , a Viper most vnkinde , A Rocke of wracke , dry Well of eu'ry Want , A Weather-cocke , more wau'ring then the winde : A thing of naught , a naughtie thing , that marres What Goodnesse makes ; a damn'd incarnate Deuill ; Contentions Source , Loues hate , still causing iarres , A banefull weede , and Roote of eu'ry euill : What shall I say ? A Map of miserie , Confusions Chaos , Frailties Spectacle , The Worlds disease , Times vgli●●● Prodigie ; Th' abuse of Men , and Sh 〈…〉 ●btectacle . Mortall , and to a Bubble suteable , Whose slesh as Flowres , whose life as Houres consumes , Of matter made , more then most mutable , Yet ( sure of certaine death ) of life presumes : Fraile life , which more it lasts , the sooner worne , The longer drawne , the shorter is the date , Hedg'd in with cares , as with an Hedge of Thorne ; Whose piercing prickes the minde doe vulnerate . If merry now , anone with woe I weepe ; If lustie now , forth-with am water-weake ; If now aliue , anone am buried deepe ; That houre that glads the heart , the heart doth breake : One while I laugh , another while I lowre ; Now ioy in Griefe , and then in Ioy I grieue ; Now wake in Care , then sleepe I straight secure , Now I dispaire , then Hope doth me relieue ; Now sigh for sinne , then sinne , so sigh in vaine ; Now minde I Heau'n , then Earth excogitate ; Now fast and pray , then feast and prate againe ; Now labours end , then labours renouate ; Now am I loose , then lose I libertie ; Now sound , then sicke ; now vp , then downe I fall ; Now am I safe , and then in ieopardie ; Now ouerco 〈…〉 then , put to the wall ; Now I discourse , then ( mute againe ) I muse ; Now seek the World , then search I for thy Waies ; Now am abus'd , and then I doe abuse ; Now hate , then loue ; now praise , then straight dispraise ; Now This I long for , by and by for That ; This now delights me ; then with that am cloid ; Now would haue this , and then I wot not what : And thus with This , and That , am still annoid . To count the count-lesse vaine varieties Wherewith this mortall life surrounded is , Or to recite our vaines in vanities , I may ( as of the Starres ) the reck'ning misse . All that this earthy Boowle on breast doth beare Is subiect most to most vnconstant state : One moment makes as if they neuer were , And eu'ry minute drawes them to their date . The heate , the cold ▪ the hunger , thirst , and all The miseries that life ( fraile life ) annoy , ( Which swarming hide this Globe terrestriall ) No Tongue can tell , thogh all their pow'rs employ . Death seconds these , ( if not the second Death ) Who with his fatall Fanne sweepes all away , At All ( saith he ) whose nostrils bound their breath ; Thus carelesly ( at All ) with All doth play . One dyes with Sicknesse , Thought another kils ; With Hunger this , with Thirst that man doth pine : Some Water choakes , an Halter others spils : Some Fire consumes , some Beasts deuoure in fine . This man he murders with the ruthlesse Sword ; That man with Poyson he doth suffocate : With Bullet this ; that with a bitter Word He ends ; and others end with worser Fate . No Flesh ( though fram'd in height of Natures skill , With composition more then halfe diuine ) But it is subiect made to death , vntill Th' Immortall doe that mortall flesh refine . Thus all he ends ; yet none their ends fore-know , A secret t' is , to Death himselfe vnknowne : Whom he must strike thy finger ( Lord ) must show , Nor dares he shoot til thou the Mark hast showne . To some he is thy mercies Minister ; To other some the Engine of thy wrath : This sadnesse to my Soule doth minister , For , bleeding Conscience many faintings hath : But wash the same with thy sweet mercies dewe , And it annoint with vnction spirituall , Then health , and rest , and peace shall straight ensue , Which to my Conscience will be cordiall : I haue discourst to thine all-hearing Eares My dismall plight , in dolefull Elegie , With Tragick accents , accents causing teares , ( Sad teares ) attending matchlesse misery : Thy pitties Eare therefore , bowe downe , O Lord , To these most pensiue , and most iust complaints : Let mercies Eyes , with pitties Eares accord , To chear the conscience that with bleeding faints : In hope were of my soule shall rest in peace , Till thou vouchsafe to send her full release . A Confession of a Sinner , acknowledging the misery of humane frailtie . CElestiall Lord , Creator of this ALL , Embracer , Prop , and Ruler of the same , Whose vnseene Eye beholds the generall , And singly seest at once this double Frame , O vaile that Christall-cleere all-seeing eye , On vtter-darknesse , that , Lord , that am I. Mine Intellect is darke , darke my soules sight ; My body darke ( darke dungeon of my soule ) Is opposite ( for darknesse ) to thy light , What can be darker , or more vgly foule ? Thus darknesse striuing much more darke to be , ( Hell being too light ) infus'd it selfe in me . O Iustice Sunne with Taper pointed beames , Dart through this Darknesse , open loopes for light , By which the influence of thy lights leames Through my darke soule may be dispersed quight : For what is that which extreame darknes cleares But extreame light of lights , when it appeares ? Where extreame darknesse harbours , there is Hell , In me ( deare Lord of Heauen ) that hell is plac't , My heart ( hard hart ) wherein all horrors dwell , With vexing thoughts ( like Fiends ) away doth wast : My Conscience quite confounded with my misse , Is lowest Hell , where highest Anguish is . Descend sweet Christ , and harrow with thy Crosse This hell of Conscience , flee my soule from thence ; It is thine owne ( deare Lord ) it is thy losse , If it doe perish through my sinnes offence : Why , sinne is nothing ; then for thing of nought Lose not my soule ( poore purchase ) dearly boght . In Deaths dark shade ( o'er-shadowed with my sinne Vpon the black pit brinck of deepe Despaire ) I lye , ( deare Lord ) halfe out , but more halfe in ; Help , help , ô help , Lord heare , Lord heare my prayer Now , now , ô now , if euer , help me now , I sincke , I sincke , help ere I sincke too low . Remember Lord , Lord call to minde againe The drops ( strange drops ) of Water mixt with Bloud Which from thy paine-prest Body ranne amaine , What time on ground it lay in pensiue moode : If then thou praid'st that Cup might passe frō thee , I well may pray let this Cup passe from mee . A Cup of cares , confected by sowre sinne , Baning my Soule with bitter operation : Let this Cup passe before I doe beginne ; Least it effect my crazed soules damnation . O thou that felt'st fraile mans infirmitie , Respect fraile Me , else in despaire I die . Whose Faith ( too like a feather in the winde ) Is tossed with the least temptations blast : With doubtings daunted ; when the faithfull finde A calme in conscience till such stormes are past : But I ( vile wretch ) am tossed to and fro , With eu'ry Storme that rise , or Blast that blow . See Lord ( ah see ) see , see , how all my Veynes Do pant with paine , through sense of my misdeedes : Behold my Heart , wherein all sorrow raignes , ( Griefe-wounded heart ) behold it how it bleedes : O poure therein thy precious Balmes of grace , That from thy wounded Heart doe runne apace . Where 's Much forgiu'n , Loue must there be much ; Forgiue me Much , much more shall be my loue● I haue Much to forgiue , no sinner such ; My Sinne surmounting , Loue shall be aboue : Forgiue me then , and I in Loue will striue To match that more then Much thou dost forgiue . Be thou for me vnto the Old of dayes , My Daysman so , to stay his angers heate ; That for thy sake he would vouchsafe to raise His vengeance siege , which my Soules wrack doth threat . O tel him to his Grace , I ( weakling ) yeeld , And giue him praise and glory of the Field . O pray him bend his pu'sance on the proud , Whose brazen Necks will rather breake then bowe : I , creeping on my knees , doe seeke for shrowde , Till Tempests of his fury ouer-blow : And like a Spaniell at his Maisters threat , In humble wise fall prostrate at his feete . With eyes vp-lifted slowly by degrees , And lifted so , are throwne downe straight againe , With face confounded on his humbled knees , Inuoking mercy , yet doth mute remaine : O so , euen so , doe I ( poore wretched I ) At foote but of his Foote-stoole crowching lye . If this may moue , and mouing may prouoke Thy sans-beginning Sire in Loue to stay Of his iust vengeance the resistlesse stroke ( A touch whereof doth Rockes to po●der bray ) I will ascribe the praise ( ô Christ ) to thee Sith for thy sake alone , he spareth me . My strength 's not stony , nor my flesh yet brasse ; O no , then weaknesse much more weake it is ; Apt still to fall , more brittle farre then glasse ; Compos'd of that , that 's more then most amisse : O how vnable then am I to beare His heauy vengeance stroke , that rocks doth teare ? With hands of Mercie stay my sincking Soule , Which were , in mercy , mercilesly wounded , For me ( vile wretch ) and for my trespasse foule , That Grace might o'er abound where Sin abounded . They are not shortned since they racked were For Sinne , that Sinne might sinnelesse so appeare . With those same hands ( deare Lord ) my Soule sustain Opprest with Po●se that made thy man-hood grone : My load 's as great , though farre lesse be my paine , Whose sinne 's as great as all the worlds , alone : Then Worlds of Sin when on my backe I beare , What meruell is 't I faint , if not despaire ? Froth of Infirmitie , and Weaknesse skumme , I am no other ; how then should I beare The heauy sentence of true Iustice doome If to this Load of Sinne it added were ? None but a God and Man can beare that waight , Sith God & Man bow'd vnder-neath that fraight . I am farre spent , ô be not farre from me , I panting labour neere the latest gaspe . My Soule dismai'd , not knowing where to flee , With hands of Hope ( wan Hope ) at thee doth graspe . Fasten their fingers , giue them strength to hold , As Ancors sure , in roughest Tempests would . Kind Lord , sole comfort , hope of each poore wretch , With Eyes conuerting Peter , looke on me : Those glittring Sunnes their beames of comfort , stretch To cursed'st sinners if they contrite be : Then , let those sacred Sun-beames gild with grace My blacke dispairing Soule , and rue her case . The longing of the Soule to be with God. SOule-searching Lord , and sole selfe-searching God ; Let my poore Soule thy vnknowne sweetnesse know . Thy staying Staffe , & sin-correcting Rod On me , on me ( sweet Loue ) in loue bestow . Strength of my weaknes , my great weaknes strength , guide thou my Goings , stay my stumbling feete : My stumbling feet establish ( Lord ) at length , in pathes that are as pure , as sure and sweet . Eye of mine Eye , let my dimme Eye behold thee ; ( Dim'd with the hellish mist of damn'd desires ) Ioy of my heart , ô let my heart i●fold thee , and take my Spirit , that still to thee aspires . O Beauties Beautie , wound my heart with Loue : Life of my life , let my life liue in thee ; In thee I haue my being , liue and moue , Of me but thou , then who should mouer be ? Celestiall Bridegroome , kisse thy Spouse , my Soule , With kisses sweet of vnconceiued peace ; On thy transpierced palme her name enrowle , With thy sinne-purging bloud my sinnes release . Mellefluous Sweetnesse ( sweetning sweetest sweets ) Sweeten my Sowre ( sowre Leauen of offence ) Season my fleshes Lump with matter meete For Sacrifice sweete smelling to thy sense . O Goodnesse , let me ( Badnesse ) thee embrace With hold-fast armes of euer-lasting loue : O Well of Life , in this dry barren place , Quench thou my thirst for thee which here I proue . Be thou to me a plague preuenting Towre , When plagues●ngirt ●ngirt my Soule with fierce assault : My forcelesse force , then strengthen with thy power , that if o'er-borne , yet not through my Wils fault . Doe ope the entries of my deafned Eares , Deafe with the dinne of words , breath'd by despair : O thundring Voyce , that Hel from Heauen heares , Breake through the bars that let thy words repaire . O let the deepes , in dreadfull harmonie , Their Billowes tune vnto that awfull voyce ; Let Heauen and Earth ( in ioynt conspiracie ) with it accord , to drownd Sinnes hellish noyse . Turn thou mine Eies , with fearful Lightnings flash , From Eye-bewitching Obiects of offence : Deaden my flesh , my bones to ponder dash , That dead to Sinne , may quicke in thee , haue sense . Encrease thy Streames , lay ope the water-springs , That Earths foundations ( proplesse ) may appeare ; My earthly thoughts , all soild with earthly things , Thy troubles streames ( through mercy straind ) will cleare . O light vnseene ( enlightning all that see ) Lighten mine eyes that they may see thy light , That light that with no darknesse can agree , O light of lights present that to my sight . Sauour of life , giue new life to my smell ; That on the sent of thy diuine perfumes , I may runne after thee through Heauen and Hell , Through comfort , or throgh care that life consumes . O touch my sensuall ill-affected Taste With finger of thy sweet life-giuing Loue , That it may proue the sweetnesse which thou hast , Which may thy sweetnesse to my soule approue . Giue me a Minde to minde thee , Heart to loue thee ; Soule to adore thee , Spirit to discerne thee : A Reas'n that may in reason most approue thee , And Reason most , for that doth most concerne thee . O liuely Sweet ! ô sweet Life-giuing Life ; O let my Loue in thy Loues life be bounded , The life of loue portcullized from strife , which liuely life , with louely loue 's surrounded ! O life ! my life , life without which I die , ( O laborinth of life , ô maze of loue ! ) Where shall I finde thee ? sweet loue , when shall I my loue to loue , and life to life remoue ? O where art thou , thou great all-mouing mouer ? Can clouds encompasse thy vncompast Greatnes ? ( Thou endlesse life , vnlimitable louer ) No , no sweet loue , then show to me thy sweetnes ! Be neere me in my heart , my minde , my mouth , Neere in my hearing , and each other sense : Neere in mine age , and neere me in my youth , neere in mine end , to end without offence . Through ardent loue , I pine away for thee ; For want of thee ( deare sweet ) my Soule is sad ; Then longd-for louely loue , appeare to me , And with thy glorious presence make me glad . Thy sense-refreshing sent my Spirit reuiues ; To minde thee 's Nectar to my thirstie Soule , Thy Inspiration , Consolation giues , Such consolations as all cares controule . But yet , ô yet , euen as the chased Hart For water thirsts , so thirsts my Soule for thee ; For thee ( sweet loue ) for my soules soule thou art , Without which soule can my soule liuing be ? O when shall I ( deare Lord ) vnworthy I Appeare in thy pure Palace Christiline ? My mounting Spirit ( wing'd with Desire ) doth flye Aboue it selfe , to see that Court of thine ! Ioy of my soule , when , when ( aye me ) ô when Shall I with eyes immortall , see thy glory ? Alas I liue a dying life till then , Till when my longing soule can be but sory . O why turnst thou ( my Ioy , my hearts desire ! ) Thy Sunne-ecclipsing glorious face from me ? Where art thou hid ? Earth , Water , Aire or Fire Cannot containe the smallest glimpse of thee ! Then where art hid ? ( ô changelesse fairest Faire ) For whom my rauisht soule , in loue doth languish , The smell of whom lifes ruines doth repaire , Though life assailed be with mortall anguish . But ah ( aye me ) I see , I see thee not , And that I cannot , kils my louing heart ; Yet when I heare thy voyce I haue forgot What me annoid , and ioy suppresseth smart . But why ( ah why ) from me hid'st thou thy face ? Perhaps thou ●aist , Man cannot , liuing , see it : Bee 't so ( sweet Lord ) I faine would death embrace , To see the same ; so be it , ô so be it . Here let me dye , that I may see thee There , There , where my Soule so much desires to see it : That life as death I hold that holds me here , Then let me dye , so be it , ô so be it . Faine would my Soule this fardle of my Flesh Lay downe at gastly Deaths vnfleshy feet , That , being consum'd , I may resume afresh ●mmortall flesh , for thy pure presence meet . O Christ , my Iesus , take my spirit to thee , ( My spirit aspiring clogg'd with fleshes waight ) It 's jaild too long , it longs let loose to be , And euery moment for release doth waite . My Ioy draw thou my heart , that ioyes in nought but in thy ioy sole ioy of blissefull hearts : To thy true ioy , whose griess such blisse hath bought , which blisse my griefs ( with ioy ) to blisse conuerts . Enter into me , Sweetnesse , make me sweet , Sweet Ioy possesse me , make me ( sad ) reioyce : Eternall light shine on me , make me meet To see and know , and loue thee as my Choise . The cause I loue not , is , I know thee not : I know thee not in not perceiuing thee ; I not perceiue ; for , darknesse light doth blot , Light shines in darkenesse , yet It cannot see . Who sees thee , knows ; who knows thee stil doth loue thee , Who sees , & knows , & loues thee , loues his soule : To see , to know , to loue thee , grace must moue me ; For flesh doth fancie by-pathes , filthy foule ! Who knowes thee , shall of force himselfe forget , Who loues thee as his life , his life will loath ; Yea , lose his life , that he his life may get , Immortall making Soule and Body both . But I alas ( accursed that I am ) For externe ioy , from interne blisse doth range ; My fairest sollace , is my foulest shame , My sense betraid , the best for worst doth change . Here-hence it is , I like not that thou lou'st : I ( wretch ) loue outward , but thou inward Ioy : I fleshly pleasures , spirituall thou approu'st ; I abiect things , which things thee most annoy . Thou art in Heauen , and I in Earth doe dwell , Nay , Heau'n of Heau'ns is thine abiding place ; But I in Earth , as low as lowest Hell Remaine , and ioy in paine , in senselesse case . Thou light , I darke ; thou good , I passing bad , Thou Ioy , I griefe ; thou loue , I lump of hate ; Thou wise , I fond ; thou meeke , with pride , I mad ; Thou rich , ( most rich ) and I in staruing state . Then how ( deare Lord ) should so great difference Be reconcil'd , and linckt in vnitie ? Ah here 's my feare , here 's all my diffid●nce ! Then help , ô help , help holy Trinitie . In that all-doing powerfull power of thine , Mend mine amisse , and me to Thee combine . The Complaint of a Sinner . IN the vexation of an humbled Spirit , Deuoured in the depth of wretched State : With feare and trembling I approch thy fight , As one , deare Lord , as poore , as desolate ! Neare to thy mercies flouds , my selfe I set , Vpon the Banckes of thy rich Graces streames ; That my dry Soule may so therewith be wet , Before the Sunne of Iustice scorching Beames . Lo , I a masse of rude vnformed Clay , Present my selfe to thine All-making skill ; To doe all my deformities away , And to informe my Wit , reforme my Will. Great is my boldnesse so to tempt thy Grace With such presumption ; but ( deare Lord ) let me Make bold thy loue ( still tendred ) to embrace , Lest strange to It , I might be strange to Thee . Yet , when I waigh mine owne vnworthinesse , Together with thy Loues high dignitie ; I am too bold with It , I doe confesse , To entertaine It to such misery . I am too vile to loue , or to be lou'd Of thee ( deare Lord ) the life of dearest Loue ; Yet by thy Loue , to loue I still am mou'd , Though I thy loue , to hate , doe euer moue . Thou dost command ( giue , what cōmand thou dost , Then what thou wilt command , It shall be done , ) That I should loue beyond mine vttermost , As thou dost loue beyond comparison . In Loue thou mad'st me , onely but to loue ; And me re-mad'st in loue , to loue alone : Thou threatnest me , if I vnlouing proue ; And wouldst that we , though two , shold be as One. Yea , for my loue thou ( ceaselesse ) so dost woo me , That seeing me ( in loue ) quite dull and dead , Thou giuest me Thee ; that I should giue me to thee , In forme of Flesh , as thou in forme of Bread. Lord , what am I , that thou shouldst woo me so . And seeke t' inflame my loue with thy Loues heat ? What am I to Thee , but a world of woe ? A little World , of Sinne , past measure great ! A Crosse of Crosses ; for , so crosse I am , That eu'ry thing I doe , is quite a thwart ; And , that which is most crosse , I blesse the same As that which most agrees with my curst-heart . And what art thou to me but peace and rest , Saluation , Ioy , and whatsoe'er is good ? By whom I ( most accursed ) most am blest , Who mad'st me blamelesse in thy blessed bloud . Then of such pledges of thy Loue possest , And that but loue alone thy loue doth craue : O giue me that which thy loue doth request , And I will giue thee what thy Loue would haue . Ill , I can giue Thee ; that , is onely mine ; But Good , I haue from Thee , thy gift it is : If thou wilt none of mine , then giue me thine ; Take that from me , deare Lord , and giue me this . Thou art not pleas'd but with what 's onely thine ; Yet , I am thine ; and yet not pleas'd thou art : If thou haue nought with me , but what is mine , Although I gaue to thee me dearest heart . For , as it is my Heart , it 's most vncleane ; And all vncleannesse thou dost most detest : Then , thou art both the cause , effect , and meane , That thou dost loue it , as thine interest . Yet , as mine owne I haue ( what haue I not with it , that is not absolutely good ? ) My Christ ; but , ah , alas I haue forgot Thou gau'st him first , & bought'st me with his bloud . But yet that 's all I haue , ( that 's all in all ) To giue thee , as goods common vs betwixt ; To me Hee came from Thee ; to thee Hee shall For me , in passion , with my passions mixt . If mine be such , as make his much the more , They his are much more meritorious : And yet if Mine be couer'd with his gore , Then will deserue thy loue and fasten vs ! Then take him Lord , I haue none other shift To show my Loue , but with thine onely Gift . The thirst of the Soule after God , the Fountaine of Life . MIne heau'nly Head , giue me , thy Member , grace Thee to desire ; desiring , thee to secke : Seeking , to finde ; finding , to loue thy face : And , louing , lothe what is thee most vnlike . To my Heart , Faith ; to mine Eyes flouds of teares ; To my Soule , griefe ; to that griefe , ioy of Spirit : To my Faith , Hope ; to my Hope , Loue and Feare ; And , vnto all , giue all direction right . O Loue essentiall ! increated Loue ! Loue infinite ! the Fount of Loue and Grace : With pow'r o'erflowing all the powers aboue ; Or whatsoeuer is in blessed case ! How can I choose but loue thee ? how can I But with such flaming Loue be fired quite ? That fires the whole Worlds Vniuersitie , Yea , well-nigh burnes , & melts the same out-right ! O God! thou art the most abstracted GOOD ; Which , yet abstracted , art much more abstract ! Which is Loues Obiect , and Lifes liuelihood : Which doth my Loue to Loue , in Loue , coact ! How can I choose but flame , so set on fire With loue , which burns what ere , in loue was made ? What , but that Loue , can quench my Loues desire ? Or me , to Loue , so pow'rfully perswade ? And if I cannot loue Thee for thy Loue , Nor for thy goodnesse being more then GOOD , Yet , me thereto should Profit more then moue ; For , of all Good th' art the boundlesse floud . Youth loues the Eld , from whom it Being drawes ; The Members loue the Head , by whom they liue : And all Effects , by nature , loue their Cause ; Sith It to those Effects doth Essence giue . Then sith thou art my Cause , my Head , my Sir● , Looke what Those owe to These , by whom they be , ( Nay , more ; for , thou art all in all intire ) That LORD , and more then That , I owe to Thee ! Thou gau'st me Being , ere my Sire it gaue : For , with Thee was I , ere I was of Thee ! And now preseru'st the Being which I haue , Better then by the Head the Members be . Thou dost effect what in me wanting is ; ( And from my second Cause my wants proceed ) Then what can cause so good effect as this , But thou whose Will is still in act and dead ? Looke what I am at best , I am by Thee ; And when at worst , in thee my hope still is : For , as no one , but Tho● , could fashion me ; So none , but Thou , can mend my least amisse . Then what I am in deed or else in hope , ( When I am best in both ) of thee I am : Thou art my Soule and bodies vtmost scope ; Thou mad'st them both , then oughst to haue the same . If then Thou be my Beauties beauty ; yea , The beauty of my Soules diuinest Part , ( For Thou of beauty art the bancklesse Sea ) Who then but thou should wholy haue my Heart ? O Loue , that burn'st in Heauens eternall Breast ! O Dart that woundest the whole Tr●nitie ! O more , much more , then Crosse-wound me at least ; And let that Fire still burne me till I die . O let my Soule melt Lord in thine applause , Through holy-raging Flames of quenchlesse Loue ; O cause of causes , this vouchsafe to cause ; And let these Flames their force vpon me proue . O holy , holy , holy Trinitie ! Most holy Father ! and most gracious Sonne ! Most louing Holy-Ghost , in Vnitie A Trinitie , and but one God alone ! When , when , ô when will you three dwell in mee ? And make me one with you , as one you are ? Of three make , foure ; and one of one and three : Your Essence keepe , let me your goodnesse share . When will it be ? ô when ? ô were it now ! Shall I ne'er see it ? ô how long delay ! O tedious tarrying ! how , ô LORD , ô how Shall I straight rest in thee , mine onely stay ? Haste thee , my Iesus ▪ haste ( deare Loue ) make haste , I cannot stay ; then come ( my Ioy ) ô come ; My haste is great , and I but Time doe waste , Till I thy Loue , and Time doe ouercome . O my Soules Centre ! my Wils sweet repose ! Light of my Mindes Eye ! my Thoughts Paradise ! Heau'n of my Heart ! Companion of my Woes ! Salue of my Sores ! Cure of my Maladies ! Ioy of mine Exile ! and my Guide therein ; Breath of my Nostrils ! End of my Desires ! Iudge of my Life , Forgiuer of my Sinne ! O all in all , whereto mine All aspires ! If thou be these , and all in all to mee , Can I forget thee during but a Thought ? If so I should , let me remembred be With pinching plagues to minde thee as I ought . If I so much forget my selfe and thee , Let my right Hand forget her cunning quight : Nay , let me not remember what I see ; That Memory so wrong'd , may minde thy right . No sleepe mine Eyes , no rest mine Head shall haue , Till thou my Head , within my Heart doe rest : Then enter Loue , to enter ô vouchsafe , It is but what thou offer'st I request : Then let this offer of my Will and Loue , Moue me to that , to which thou me dost moue . An acknowledgement of Gods gifts , with desire of vnion with the Giuer . IF we for fading Gifts are euer bound To loue our Friends ( for Gifts still loue do breed ) And if the Fire doe more , or lesse abound , According as the Fuell It doth feed : Then ô ! how great a Flame of endlesse loue Should ( ô deare Lord ) still feede vpon mine All : Sith past all measure I thy bounties proue ; And feed'st this Fire with Vnction-spirituall ! If the whole frame of Nature ; nay , sweet Lord , If Heau'n and Earth , and all they doe containe , Be but meere Gifts , which thou dost me afford , Then how shold Loue but in me more then raigne ? And that so much the more , because there be In thee , besides , all Causes causing loue ; Which , in their high'st perfection , are in thee ! Then , can such Motiues but much more then moue ? If Goodnesse I respect , in thee it is As farre from Limit as Similitude : For thou art ( LORD ) the boundlesse Sea of Blisse , Because thou art the high'st Beatitude . If Beautie I regard , then thou art Hee That art the Fount from whence all Beauty flowes : Whose Face the Angels still desire to see , Whose Influence their Faces ouer-flowes ! If Bounty ; then , who is so liberall As thou ( selfe - bounty ) that dost , gratis , giue All , and much more ( in deede ) then all , to All : By which they more then liberally doe liue . If Riches ; who so rich as hee that owes What not ? If Being ; or what can be beside : If Friendship ; who so kinde ? who , for his Foes , Did Death , with torment , willingly abide . If Likenesse be a cause that loue effects ; Then who like that , by which I am , but thou ? For thou mad'st it like thee●n ●n all respects , Saue that , like thee ▪ it knowes not where , nor how ! And , if the END ; for which we all things doe , ( The Finall END ) be infinitely lou'd ; Then who mine ALPHA , and OMEGA too , But thou , to whom , by Nature , I am mou'd ? From thee to Thee , by onely Natures skill , I come , and goe ; but goe not as I came : For , I came from thee iust , as thou art still , But doe returne opprest with sinne and shame . If then to be thine Image , with the rest , Be seu'rall motiues ( strong ) of Loue intire , Then what ought that to be bred of the best Nay bred of all , but Loues eternall fire ? For , as the Sea is greater then each Floud , Which from , and to her Bosome euer moues : So , is thy Goodnesse greater then each Good ; And thy loue more then other lasting loues . Ah Lord ! what made thee make me , but that loue ? What to redeeme me but that tender moode ? Of nought thou mad'st me ( which can nothing moue Being Nought ) and me redeemest , to make me good . O let me stretch the armes of mine Affects , To hold thee to the Breast of my d●sires : O cause of sweetnesse , cause these sweet effects ; And make my Breast the Furnace for these Fires . The Iuy still doth clip her neighb'ring Tree , Because thereby it is ●d●anced oft : Then will I cling to that on Caluaree ; Because , thereby , I shall be rais'd aloft . The Iuy spreads her branches not so farre , Nor by a Cedar so aduanc'd can be , As my Soules pow'rs increast in vertue are , And made to mount by vertue of this Tree . Then ô that all my bodies Limbes were Armes , That I , on eu'ry side , might it embrace ! Thy Crosse ( ô Christ ) doth blesse al thine from harmes ; And with ioy comforts them in woefull case ! O Christ that did the Crosses Tree ascend , That so thou mightst draw all things vnto thee ; O draw me then , let my life with thine end ; That so my life , with thine , may endlesse be ! Thou that didst Deitie to Manhood knit ( Two Natures so in Nature different ! ) Making one person of them , infinite , To make me one with the Omnipotent , Grant that the vertue of that VNION May euer make vs more entire then ONE . A thankfull remembrance of our preseruation notwithstanding our manifold sinnes . WIth wounded Spirit I salute thy Wound● , O all-bewounding Sacrifice for Sinne ! For , my Soules health from thy Hearts hurt redounds , Because thou dyedst to liue my Heart within . With what loue shall I quite such wondrous Loue , That comes from such vnheard-of Clemencie ? Who art thou , and who am I , that can moue Heau'ns God t'immure himselfe in misery ? That thou whose Glory , Glory it selfe admires , Sholdst deigne to dwel in durt , more vile then dung : Sith Holinesse , sweet Lord , thy House requires , Which hardly rests where many vices throng . Heau'n is thy Seate , the Earth thy Footstoole is ; ( For Heau'n and Earth thy Maiestie doth fill ! Then why , great God , art thou well pleas'd with this That thou art made but Mud for mire so ill ? For , if the Heau'n , nay , Heau'n of Heauens be But too too small thy greatnesse to containe ; Then how can my heart , lesse then nought , hold thee ? How in a Bit of Wormes-meate canst thou raigne ? O Wonder ! that all Maruels farre surmounts , He that vpon the Cherubins doth ride , And viewes all Deeps from thence , himself dismounts That he may in my Heart , ( deepe Hell ) abide ! It not suffiz'd thy glowing Charitie To giue me Angels for my Guards and Guides , Nay , wast not onely pleas'd for me to dye , But dwelst in me to giue me life besides ! There dost thou visit , in the kindest kinde , The Sicke ( sore sicke ! ) to giue him health thereby ? Sore sick in Body , but more sicke in Minde : And raise the Dead , that willingly did dye . My Soule exulteth ( with ioy rauished ) When as I minde that Miracle ; how once A Prophets dead Bones rais'd to life the Dead , Onely by touching those life-giuing Bones ! If those dead Bones had such reuiuing pow'r , Then , what shall not Gods liuing Body doe ? The liuing Body of Lifes Gouernour , Must needes giue endlesse Life and Glory too . And if dead Bones , conceiued in Sinne , haue might To giue life to a sinfull Bodie , dead ; What shall that doe conceiued by thy Spirit ? That , must needs life-inspire eu'n senselesse Bread. My Soule though dead in Sinne , yet touching Thee By Faith ; and in thy bloud being sanctifide , Can it but more then liue in Thee and me , When Thou therein dost more then still abide ? And sith that Corpes was rais'd that crau'd not life , By touching those dead Bones ; then , Lord let me ( That , as my Husband , clip thee , as thy Wise ) Be rais'd to life , that beg the same of thee . I cannot thinke ( because I thinke of thee as more then Grace it selfe ! ) that thou hast borne My sinnes , and in my sinnes , dost beare with mee ; that of thy Grace I shall be quite forlorne . O! can my Soule but melt to thinke how oft thou mightst haue slaine me , yet didst vse thy knife To prune , and make me grow in Grace aloft , and ●lu'st my Foes therewith that sought my life ? How many thousand Soules now burne in Hell , that haue ( perhaps ) sinn'd lesse then sinfull I ? Who held thy Hands when I did so rebell , that I should liue when Soules lesse sinfull dye ? My sinnes cry to thee , and thou stop'st thine Eares lest thou sholdst heare them ; & the more they cry , The more thy deafenesse to them still appeares , as if thou didst their clamorous suite deny . I doe but sinne , and thou dost me but saue ; if I flye fast from thee , thou followest faster : Though I be tir'd with Sinne , thy Mercies haue no meane to tire ; but meanes my Sinnes to master . The more I sinne , the more thou humblest mee ; so , mak'st me know my selfe , by knowing Sinne : Nay more , it puls me from my selfe to thee ; so , though I lose my selfe , yet thee I winne . O strange disposing of the worst of Ill ! meere Concord of maine Contradiction : That which puls from , doth draw together still , where loue drawes Discords to make Vnion . So then , my Faults , as if they Vertues were , wrought for my good , by thee that hast the skill To beare with men , to make them sinne forbeare ; and so , through Grace , to pull good out of Ill ! Yet didst thou whisper in my Soules right Eare , that I should doe no ill for such good end ; But mad'st me ( sinning ) Sinne to hate and feare ; ( in loue ) for that it did thee ( LOVE ) offend . With Thornes thou dost hedge-in my narrow Way , that if I ere so little step awry , They straight doe pricke me , and so make me pray for help to thee , in whom all help doth lye . And as the Hunter stoppeth vp each Gap , wher-through the wild Bore may escape vncaught : So , dost thou stop my way with each misse-hap , when I would runne away from thee to nought . Am I escapt from out thy mercies Hands ? thy Hand of Iustice puls me in againe : So , Mercy holds me , by which Iustice stands to help to hold me safe by ease and paine . Haue I a Will , by Death , to damne my Soule , ( by desprate Death to damne , not mine , but thine ? ) Thou dost that Will with thy good Will controule , And mak'st my Will thy Will in spight of mine . Am I resolu'd to sinne presumptuously , and , that of purpose to despight thee too ? Thou mak'st the Will without the Deed to dye ; and , mak'st me damne the Deed ere it I doe . Would I , for any indiuine respect , sell Heau'n for Earth , and God ( so ) for the Deuill ? Thou God dost make that Would worke good effect ; for , when it proues the Ill , it shuns the euill . Is my Hand stretched out , my faith to plight to blacke Perdition ? twixt my hand and It Thou putst thy hand of Iustice , which doth smite away my hand , before that knot be knit . The Weapons me thou gau'st my selfe to saue , I ( monster ) did against thy Goodnesse bend ; And with thy glorious gifts I thee did braue ; so , did I shame my selfe , and Thee offend . The Tongue thou mouedst that blasphemed Thee ; thou rul'dst the limbes that did thy Members rend : Thou gau'st Wit pow'r with Thee to disagree ; and gau'st Will force the giuer to offend . So , that not onely I ingrate haue bin for thy good gifts , but haue the same imployd As weapons of vnrighteousnesse , in Sinne , and so with thine owne Grace haue thee annoid . Thou mad'st all Creatures for mine onely vse , t' allure me to thy gainfull Loue thereby ; But , I abused thee , by their abuse ; so , with thy Good deeds did thee damnifie . So , that through whom the seeing of thy Face was to be tane , through them I could not see : For I , as Gods , did them ( in Loue ) embrace which thou had'st giu'n , to guide me vnto Thee . That I might serue thee , me did all things serue ; I did command , that me thou might'st intreat : They did me Good , when I did ill deserue ; and when I made thee small , they made me great . Thou gau'st me Faith , and Hell the Fruites hath had ; thou gau'st me Grace , and Sinne hath vs'd the same ; Thou gau'st me Wit ▪ which Will abus'd , as mad ; thou gau'st me Sense , wherewith my selfe I shame . Thou gau'st me Health , which , sickely , I haue vs'd , in riot , surfet , and in all excesse : Thou gau'st me Strength , which I haue still abus'd in waging warre with thine owne Mightinesse . Thou , for my profit , plaguedst other men ; that so , from Sinne , I might be kept , with ease : But I ( vnplagued ) plagu'd my Brethren , so farre off was I from remorse by These . These Gifts I ( most vngratefull ) gratis had ; which ( though abus'd ) I vsed when I would : And , being Gifts too good , made me too bad ; For , they made me too proud , and too too bold . The rage of Lyons , Tygers , and the like , Is lenified with gifts , and turn'd to loue ; But , with thy gifts , to grieue thee I did seeke ; Yet still thou mad'st me their increase to proue . Thou Man becam'st to make a God of mee ; ( at least a God , that Heau'n and Earth doe serue : ) And I became a Diuell , in Deed , to Thee ; that wrong'd thee more , the more thou didst deserue . High'st Iustice , shining through thy Passions Cloud , could not enforce me it to loue , or dread : Thou had'st no hole , wherein thy head to shroud ; but , all this All 's too little for my head . Though thou art God , Foes Fists thy face enorme ; if any touch my Coate , I touch them home By word , and deed ; that yet am but a Worme ; thou striu'st for lowest , I for highest Roome . Thou wouldst be slaine , to slaughter Sinne in me ; but , by thy death , I life-inspir'd the same : So , thy great Mercy made me martyr Thee ; and , with the Iewes , I made thy griefes my game . The Med'cine , so , thou gau'st to cure my Wounds , I venomed to make my hurt the more , Which both with Sinne & shame my Soule confounds , sith Sinne , by Grace , I made more sinfull sore . If from the Law , to take a cause to sinne , is much more damn'd then sinne without the Law ; What is it then , when Grace so vs'd hath bin : and force to fight with Grace , from grace to draw ? The wilde-fire of my Passions burned me ; my Thoughts Distractions did me quite deuide ; The Worme of Conscience rag'd , where thou wouldst be yet these I did ( as one in thee ) abide ! For , mine Affections cryed nought but Peace , when those Affections most did Peace impunge ; And when I was in Hell , they seem'd in ease , so much the old misled Affections young . And , Fury-like , towards hel I alwayes made ; but , thou more wayes then all wayes broughtst me back . The Trade of Vertue , I held Vices Trade ; sith , more then Vice , she seem'd to liue in lacke . How oft haue I beene at the gates of Hell and could not enter , though I went about : Thou didst the Diuell from his charge compell ; so , Porter wast thy selfe to keepe me out . Nay , when I haue beene euen in his Iawes , and that his Fangs were entring in my Soule , Till thou didst pul me thence , thou mad'st him pause ; so , came I , as from Heau'n , as Meeke , as Whole . O! how can I such pow'rfull Grace requite ; that forceth Iustice with Her force to ioyne From wracke to saue me in mine owne despight , and made restore , who did my selfe purloyne ? Had I the liues of Angels and of Men , and , offer'd all to thee in sacrifice , And , if those liues were thrice resum'd agen , and , offer'd vp as oft , t' would not suffice . T' would not suffice to recomp●●ce thy loue ; it were too cheape to quite t●y deare deser● ; O then can I ( wretch ) so vngratefull proue , as not to giue thee one poore wretched Heart ? Can I , ô can I be so much besides Grace , Faith , Sense , Mother-wit , my selfe and all , That hauing yet these gifts to be my guides , doe yet but stand by these , by these to fall ? If I be lost , it must not be in Hell , ( thogh ne'er so dark ) for there thou foundst me out : It must be somewhere , which no where can tell ; for where that is , both Time and Place doe doubt . It cannot be in Hell ; for , thou art there ; then Heau'ns thy Seat ( ah ! would I there were lost ) Nay , not in Place ; for , thou art eu'ry where ! Then not in Time , which , ere It was , thou knowst ! If then in Heau'n , nor Hell , in Time , nor Place , where then ? in my selfe lost , I cannot be : Yet , lost I am , if I doe lose thy grace ; which found me when I stole my selfe from thee ! But yet , if needes I will be lost , at last , ( for grace , at last , saues none against their will ) No Lost-child euer was lockt halfe so fast from losing ; and , deserueth halfe so ill . The worst of Ill , m●●e worse with Ill made Whole , is too too good for one made worse then That : Too little he doth lose , to lose his Soule , that , maugre grace , still does he cares not what . Therefore ( deare Lord ) let me not enter in this strict reuisall of my Sinne and grace The lesse to make excusable my Sinne , but , thereby more , much more , thy Loue embrace . For these Confessions written by my Hand against my selfe , against my selfe will goe To thy Tribunall ; and against me stand , if now I doe not euer Sinne forgoe . Then let thy W●unds be once more opened ( deare Christ ) to wash me in thy reeking bloud : Reuiue me , by thy death , that being dead ( still dead ) to Ill , I may still liue to good . O! iuycie Bunch of Soule-refreshing grapes , ( hard pressed in the Wine-presse of the Crosse ! ) Make druncke my thirstie Soule , that ( gasping ) gapes for thy pure bloud , to purge mine , being too grosse . Mine Ire , Pride Lust , Presumption ▪ Hate and Scorne , yea , all my Sinnes ▪ which I can ne'er recite ) I cast into thy wounds which wide are torne ; O keepe them There then , from thy Fathers sight . As much as those confound ▪ these comfort me ; nay , more , much more , sith more thou canst forgiue Then I can sinne , although I quartred Thee , if when the deed is done , through grace I grieue . Mellefluous Sea of Comforts most diuine , Meridian Light , whence springs true glories Day , With both o'er whelme me , till through both I shine in perfect glory by thy glories Ray. Let not my Deedes , or inofficious Sloth doe or omit , what should not , or be done : For , both are cursed by thy blessed mouth , sith Ill to doe , and good omit , is one : But , let this league be constant to the end ; For they but mend to marre , that marre to mend . And Wisedome , at our wisedome ▪ doth but scoffe , When we doe ill , that good may come thereof . The sighes of a Pensiue Soule , groaning vnder the burden of sinne . WHo art thou Lord ? thou Lord whose magnitude admits no Name ! and what , or who am I That dare but thinke of such an Altitude , farre past the reach of highest Angels Eye ? What am I but a Sacke of sickenesses ; Immodestie it selfe ; Dust , Clay , Durt , Dung : Slyme , Food for Wormes , lesse slymie Carkasses ; with filth , much more vncleanly , mixt among ! Meere gall of bitternesse , true Heyre of Hell , begot twixt Sinne and Sathan , life of Death : Rebellion in the abstract ; Vices Shell : the breath of Sinne , that baneth but with breath . Gods griefe , Mens plague , and Angels sole annoy , sith sad I make them by vncessant sinne : Let to the sorrow which doth cause their Ioy sith mine example hinders some therein . In Counsaile , blinde ; in Actions , most vnwise ; In thought , vnstaid ; vnconstant in desire : Then Nothing , lesse ; yet great in mine owne Eyes : for , past my selfe my selfe would faine aspire ! In summe ; I am the totall summe of Ill ; ill in my flesh , and euill in my sp'rit , Worse in my Wit , and worser in my Will : this , Lord , is hee thou would'st to thee vnite ! But what ? and who art thou ? thou namelesse GREAT ! sith thou art great , beyond all quantitie ! How good art thou ? thou goodnesse most compleate , for , thou art great beyond all qualitie ! Beyond all measure , thou art ( onely ) wise , thou art ( alone ) eternall without Time : In pow'r almightie , with all-seeing Eyes ; in Iudgement , deepe ; in Counsailes , most sublime . But what ! goe I about to bring thee here , within the compasse of description : Thou art as farre past Compasse , as past Peere , being immense and infinite alone . If Men or Angels could , nay more , couldst thou by deed or word , thine Essence once define , Thou art no more thy selfe , in deed , or show ; for , thou all Bounds dost in thy selfe confine . Of Thee , therefore , no search can notice giue , further then that thou art most infinite ; And that to know , is onely to beleeue that so thou art in wisedome , grace , and might . The Sunne , Moone , Stars , with bright beames glorifide , in presence of thy glory , lose their Light : The Cherubins ( like Bastard Eaglets ) hide their Eyes , that cannot brooke thy glories sight . The sturdy Pillers of th' Etheriall Frame do trembling stand , when thou but knitst thy brow ; Yea , all the Pow'rs therein s●rincke at the same , and ( with those Props ) with feare and reu'rence bow . Whose Voyce doth make the Mountaines melt like whose Check confounds the order of this All● waxe , Whose Breath consumes thy foes , as fire doth flaxe ; in few ; thou art what thou thy selfe canst call . Then how dare I ( vile Clod of base Contempt ) approch the presence of such Maiesty : That is from all impuritie exempt , and , I a Sincke of all sordiditie ? To touch the Arke was death ; and , one did dye for touching It , being at the point to fall : Then woe is me , how dare I ( wretch ) come nye they sacred selfe , that standest staying All ? The Bethshamites receiu'd a mortall checke , for prying on that Arke too curiously : And many thousands , for it , went to wrecke ; then dare I ( Worme ) cling to thy Deity ? How can thy grace so vile a Vermine brooke ? much lesse embosome such a lothed Thing ; That leaues offence behinde but with a looke ; and , like a Viper , with a touch doth sting ? What Concord can there be twixt Contraries ? can good and euill be incorporate ? Then how shouldst thou selfe - goodnesse me comprise , that am selfe - euill , which thou most dost hate ? For I haue beene , ô Lord , I shame to say , what , in times past , I did not shame to doe ; Who ( worse then Treas'n it selfe ) did ( ah ) betray God vnto Man , and Man to Sathan too . There was a Time , I was that Franticke Foole , that said ( at least in Heart ) there is no God : But since thy grace my Heart did better schoole I thinke not so , by reason of thy Rod. Thy Rod recou'red that my straying thought , reducing It into the way of Truth : I to my selfe , and thee , by force was brought ; and made repent that madnesse of my youth . Thanks kindest Rod , I kisse thee , for thy grace , which , like a Potion , did with Nature striue , To conquere that which Nature did disgrace ; and made me ( dead in Sinne ) in grace to liue . But Lord , how blest , and better had I bin , if thy smooth Staffe had staid me in the Way ; For , thy rough Rod doth Loue , by terror , win ; and , Loue is lame , that doth by terror stay . But yet let terror ( as loues Harbinger ) make way to lodge thy Loue within my Heart ; Which of thy Loue would faine be Harbourer , because thou mak'st it faine by force of smart . But let thy loue be of my Heart embrac'd meerely for Loue ; and kept with louing feare : Let not my Loue with terror be disgrac'd , but let It , free from terrors Let appeare . O let me loue thee , as thou louest mee , thou lou'st me for my selfe and thy Loues sake : Then for thy selfe ( alone ) let me loue thee , without respect of what Loue lame doth make . I now desire ( with more then hot desire ) to be new molt , and cast into the Molde Of all perfection , by Afflictions fire ; sith , for thy Temple , That , refines the Golde . Lord , if thou wilt , thou canst ; then make me cleane : Draw me with Cords of Loue , made fast by Feare : Though my Sinnes measure passe , thou hast no meane in mercy ; then , let mercy make me cleare . If thou requir'st contrition for my faults , with Sinne and Sorrow , lo , I labour ●ore ; A iarring Twin , each other that assaults ( within the wombe that breedes them ) more and more . If Satisfaction thou of me require , Lo , here I offer vp my Flesh to thee , To be consumed in Afflictions fire , so thou vouchsafe to saue the Soule of me . Poure out thy Vengeance Vials all there-on ; make , it like Vapor , to euaporate The Humors ill , wherewith it 's ouer-gone , that Flesh from flesh , may so be separate . O thou whose Loue enflames all good desires , quench thou the thirst of my desire , that flames To be consum'd in those thrice sacred fires , which mend the formes of mind , & Spirits frames . Giue me thy Loue , and throw me into Hell ; for , there thy Loue will pleasure me in paine ; Yea , paines , to bring me pleasures , will compell ; and make me Heau'n by Hell so to obtaine . This onely Boone I craue , by Grace to be armed with Patience , most inuincible , In all thy fiery Tryals made of me ; that Sense make brooke them as insensible . Which Patience still consociates constant Loue ; which can endure more then Paine can inflict : O then let me that Loue , in mercy , proue ; then proue me with all proofes though ne'er so strict . Thy will be mine , and mine be euer thine ; giue me no pow'r to will or not to will But as thou wilt : and let no will be mine , but that which , maugre Flesh , may thine fulfill . Thou know'st what 's best for me ; then , is that best , which thou ( what ere it be ) for me shalt doe : Then , let me locke my cares within thy Chest , when they , too strong , wold my weake Chest vndo . Be thou the Centre of my Soules desires ; and , let them rest in Thee in all vnrest : Be thou the Vnction , still to feede those fires , till of eternall Light they be possest . To which , as to the vtmost of their hope , Bring thou them ( Lord ) that art their vtmost scope . Of Lifes breuitie , the Fleshes frailtie , the Worlds vanitie , and the Diuels tyranny . THou Eld of Dayes , teach me my dayes to count , ( deare Lord ) mine End , learn me mine end to know ; That of the same I may yeeld rust account ▪ These secrets ( Lord ) to me , in secret , show . To thinke of long life , is , in death , to liue ; To think of Death ' , s long life , which Death doth giue . My Time is in thy hands ; then It display , That I may know It , so to vse It well : A thousand yeeres , with thee , is scarse a day ; But they are more with me then Time can tell : In twice fiue Ages , Time can tell no more , Then , no Mans time thrice trebl'd , tels such store . Are not my Dayes few ? and mine end at hand , Whose life is like the shadow of a Dreame ? What Substance is 't , by which such shadowes stand ? Is 't ought but Nothing , in the great'st extreame ? If lesse then Nothing then , be all my Dayes , Can I loue Life , which Truth doth so dispraise ? A Ship , a Shaft , a Shuttle were too slow ( Or whatsoeuer else doth swiftly glide ) The flight of Time in this short life to show ; But , It , as lesse then Nothing , must abide : Then ah ! shall lesse then Nothing make me lose , Thee , Thing of Things , that dost each Thing enclose ? And , what a lesse then Nothing is this Life ? It 's worse then Nought , that 's lesser then That L●sse : So fraught with Mischiefe , Sorrow , Sinne and Strife , That It ( like Hell ) is Hold of Heauinesse : For who so hath most ease and rest therein , Are most diseas'd ( most oft ) with restlesse Sinne. No foote of Ground , Earths dismall face containes , That is not ouer-laid with treble Snares ; A Flies foote rests not on It without Paines ; Besides Deaths danger , and a World of cares : I speake , but speak with griefe , what I haue found On Earth ; then , Earth of griefe is but the Ground . For scarce is one Temptation ouer-past , But in the Neck thereof another comes ; Like Circles , that Stones cause in Waters cast , Which chase each other , till the last o'er-comes : So and none otherwise Temptations striue , Which , by the spoile of others , best shall thriue . Nay , so each other to succeede were ease , ( More then temptation vseth to admit ) But , while the first endures ( like swelling Seas , ) Another riseth worse , much worse , then It : Then in temptations Seas , with Waues thus driu'n , How hard is it t' attaine the Hau'n of Heau'n ! The treble Snares ( fore-mention'd , ) three fell Foes Doe lay for me , to catch me if they can ; The Flesh , the Diuell , and the World are Those , Which three still watch to catch me carelesse Man : The least of which hath skill exceeding great ; Then how should I ( poore Wren ) their drifts defeate ? On this side fights my Flesh ; the World on that ; The Diuell at my Backe ; and , all as One Doe me assaile ; nay , doe they care not what , So I ( thereby ) may quite be ouer-throwne : And thus , like cunning Foes , they compasse mee , That I may haue no way , away to flee . I cannot from my Body flee ; because It is my Clogge , and I am tide thereto : Nor must I It vndoe , for any cause , For , so vndone , I doe my soule vndoe : If I doe feede the same , my foe I fat , That will assault mee much the more for that . Then must I needes my Body beare about , Though faine I would forsake It , knew I how ; And yet the same is alwayes running out ; Yet drawes me with 't , as Colts doe draw the Plow : It tires my Spirit , that toiles to keepe it in , From being tir'de in running out to sinne . Besides , th'iniurious World beleaguers me This , that , and eu'ry way , with maine and might ; And through the Loope-holes of my Senses , Hee With my weake Soule , continually doth fight : Which still , thogh faintly , fights to keepe out death , And oft ( poore Soule ) quite shee is out of breath . If at those Loopes the World repulse doth take , Hee sets his Slaues to watch me , in my way ; That they may , through my slippings , me o'er-take ; And so to wound my Fame , with sharp Dispraise : Or , draw mee els before Authority , Where I may know what t' is to slip awry . But , that 's a fauour done , against his will : Herein his malice mends me ; makes me watch My sinfull selfe from running into ill ; Lest that these Fiends should me in euill catch : For ( Lord ) thou know'st , they watch not for my good ; But how , by mischiefe , they may suck my bloud . If thee I serue , they call me Hypocrite ; If I doe not , then Atheist am I nam'd : If I giue Almes , t is that beg praise I might ; So , doe I good or euill , I am blam'd : Then this thrice wayward World , by his good will , Will haue me to be Nothing ; good , nor ill . The Diuell is a Spirit which is vnseene , Then how should I auoid his mortall Blowes ? Whose weapons are as long , as strong and keene ; And sendeth flaming Shafts from fiery Bowes : The least of which to death my Soule will wound , If thou confound them not ere they confound . So then these three strong armed Enimies , Me ceaselessely assaile to make me fall : The Flesh suggesteth to me Luxuries ; The World obiecteth Sweetes ; the Diuell , Gall : And all , as most intire , conspire in this , To make me ill to liue , to die amisse . The Flesh importunes me with daintie food ; With Sleepe , Sloth , Lust , and carnall Liberty : The World doth moue me to ambitious moode : The Diuell to Malice , Ire , and Treacherie : Thus all in seu'rall sort , in one agree To pare my Crowne , if not to conquer me . Behold ( ô Lord ) with whom I liue , perforce ; I dwell with Scorpions , Vipers , and the like : Which kill , by Nature , without all remorce ; And with their stings , they good and bad doe strike : O Lord how long , how long ( deare Lord ) shall I Endure this Death , the Life of misery ? Atheists and Infidels doe neighbour me , Beside these foes ; and with them still doe ioyne , To worke my wracke ; for , they still boring be Betwixt thy Spirit and mine , them to vnioyne : Among the Tents of Kedars , thus , I dwell , Whose In-mates are as Serpent-wise , as fell . Example , more then Precept , makes vs good ; And , is there none that doth good ? no , not one , Then ah ! what can liue with this Vipers Brood That is not brought to nought , no not a Stone ? Then I being Flesh , how can I hurt auoide By them , by whom , eu'n Stones are oft annoid ? In these sore Conflicts if I should retire Into my selfe , I finde me fraught within , With fleshly , - worldly , - diuellish-damn'd desire , The three-fold Bastard of these Foes , and Sinne. Who will with them conspire to conquer me , Then in my selfe , I least secure shall be . My Heart 's more moueable then Motion is ; Vnconstant , fugitiue , vaine , light , lewd , blinde ; Wandring each way , and yet the way doth misle ; Yet still holds on that Course , by course of kinde : Agent and Patient t is , in Sinne and Shame , That both effects and suffers for the same . And , as a Mill doth grinde what it receiues , Els grindes it selfe , if nought be throwne thereon ; So , doth the Heart grinde what the same conceiues ; Else grindes it selfe , till it to nought be gone : But it ( by Nature ) still conceiueth Sinne , Then Sinne ( by Nature ) still is ground therein . But , if thy Grace ( Lord ) thou therein infuse , It grindes the same , like flow'r of finest Wheate , To make sweet - Bread , vnleauened , to vse When as the Soule doth grinde thee as her meate : And as the heart doth grinde , the Soule to feede With good , or bad ; so , our liues haps succeede . Sometimes it grindes but griefes , infus'd by Sinne ; And oft but Dusty thoughts , and Earthy cares : Thou , when such Griefs it grindes , pour'st Ioy therin : And me , for thee by griefes ▪ that Ioy prepares : Then may I say , when so the Mill doth runne : I had beene , if I had not beene vndone . But , for the most part ; it is euer cloid ( Like an hard Mi●l-stone ) with the softest things : As fleshly lusts , and vaine Ioyes ouer-ioyde ; And with that harts-case which most torment brings So , that my Heart , to them , my Heart betraies , And all , to spoile it , seeke by all assaies . It is the Shop where base Affections frame The Emb●ion of Sinne ; which , growing great , Breakes out to Action , to the Actors shame ; Vnlesse thy Deed ( ô Lord ) the Deed defeate : Then in the heart , the Seate of Peace and Life , I finde the certain'st Death , the surest strife ▪ Lord help , Lord help me to subdue my Heart , Before these Foes my Heart doe quite o'er-throw : O let it labour with a World of smart , It selfe to conquer , and it selfe to know : They that so fight , great Hearts , and Glory haue ; Then let me fight , my Fame and Heart to saue . To saue my Heart , which , though it little be ; Yet nought but thine owne Greatnesse can suffice : For t is a Kingdome onely made for thee ; Though Traitors to thee , doe it oft surprise ; But chase from thence the traitors to thy Crowne , That thou maist still , in peace , possesse thine owne . O take away these Scandals of thy raigne , Theeues of thy Glory ( most vain-glorious Theeues ) For , Tyrant PRIDE would be my Soueraigne ; Which ( for reiecting her ) me euer grieues : For , Pride ( deare Lord ) is of that spightfull vaine , That where she most seekes loue , she most doth paine . Then Lust , Ire , Enuie , Malice , Scorne , and Hate , Striue , in me , for me ; but , as much as I Am holp by thee , doe striue to keepe my State From vsurpation of their Tyranny : Which freely I surrender vp to thee , That freely , twice , did render me , to me . For , I no King recognise but my God Worthy to sit as Soueraigne in my Heart : Before all Scepters I adore thy Rod ; Which driues to endlesse pleasure , though it smart . O then away from mee , yee cursed Crue , Ye haue no part in me , His onely due . And come ( dear Lord ) destroy thē in their strength , Confound their Councels , all their Drifts defeate ; That I , through thee , may winne my selfe at length From out their Hands , that make me as their Meate : And let me ( so won ) lose my selfe in thee : Where , to be lost , is still most safe to be . Giue me ( ô Lord ) that empire o'er my Heart That It thy Becke and mine may still obey : For , that , and more is due to thy desert ; Sith that due is much more then I can pay : For , I can pay no more then what is mine , And I haue nought but sinne , but what is thine ! Then as I am oblieg'd thee to obey ; So , Equitie and Profit doe perswade That I should walke no Way , but in thy Way ; For , that 's the Way by which good Men are made : Then till I goe away for good and all , Let me runne in this Way , and neuer fall . For that 's to runne that so we may obtaine , Else get we paine eternall for our paine . If many runne , and labour lose , How easie is 't to be of those ? The Soule desireth to know God. FRom out the Soule of my most happy Soule , I praise thee , migthy Maker of this All , For that when I was nothing ( faire nor foule ) thou mad'st me of thy Creatures Capitall ! For , to thine Image didst thou fashion me , giuing my Soule Intelligence , and Will ; That so , at least , she might b'in loue with thee , sith all things loue their like , by Nature , still . Thou mightst haue made me some detested Worme ; some Toade or Viper , or some Croc●dile : Or else some Monster , both in moode and forme ; or ought what is most harmefull and most vile . And , that thou didst not , it was of thy grace ; for , what could I deserue when I was not ? No , not a Being in the basest place , much lesse Earths Lordship , which is now my Lot ! And , lest a Creature , so resembling thee , should instantly to nothing fall againe , Thou me endu'dst with immortalitie ; that I might , in all Worlds , still liue and raigne . Yet seem'd that nothing to thy boundlesse Loue , vnlesse , of nothing , thou hadst made my Soule But little lesse , if not some way abōue the Angels ; for , they serue , and I controule . Oxen and Sheepe with Grasse are satisfide ; Fish , Fowle , and Wormes with Food of baser kinde : But my Soules Meate is more then Deifide ; for nothing but her God contents her Minde ! For , She is made of that Capacitie ( because like thee She is directly made ) That Heau'n and Earth her cannot satisfie , sith She shall flowrish most , when these shall fade . For , though she once began , yet now she is eternall made , and truely infinite ; Then nought but thou that hast these properties , can satiate her insatiate appetite . Wretch that I am , this World , why doe I loue ? or seeke the fading glory of the same ? Why doe I riches s●eke and pleasures proue , that doe the Soule vnioynt , and Minde vnframe ? These Husks suffice not ; and , these painted Fires warme but the bare imagination : While the So●le starues throgh cold , with vaine desires bred by that powers misinformation . O no , her Food 's much more substantiall , ( Supersubstantiall I should rather say ) Because it is so passing spirituall , as none but purest Spirits it relish may . Then know my Soule , know what ( by kind ) thou art thy Makers Type , and viue Similitude ; Whole in the Whole , and whole in eu'ry Part ; another God , of boundlesse magnitude ! How can thy Palate then , taste any thing ( without distast ) that is not most diuine ? Why drink'st of this World 's Dike , and leau'st the Spring , that euer ouer-flowes with Angels Wine ? All vnder Heau'n is too vnsweete for thee ; for , it 's but Elementall ; still , in strife : Nay , nought in Heau'n , but the sweet Trinitie , can feede thee fat , or keepe thee but in life . That foode , whose sweetnesse rauisheth the sense of sweetest soules diuinest Faculties , Must feed thy Will , and thine Intelligence , else can they not to grace or glory rise . That Lord , whose Beauty Sunne and Moone admires , whose Maiestie the Hoasts of Heau'n adore : Whose Grace is praised by the Angels Quires , He that was , is , and shall be euermore : God , infinite in pow'r and Maiestie , hath made thee but to fill thee with his Loue ; Which being infini●e in quantitie , thine All , and Parts ( all whole in each ) can moue . Hee , onely Hee , can thy desires fulfill , albe't they did exceede Immensitie : And , being Three in One can fitly fill thine Vnderstanding , Will and Memory ! Then , ô my Soule runne out , this Guest to meet ; and him into thee gladly introduce : Who is as sweet as great , and good as sweet ; that vs'd augments , and fades for want of vse . Then , locke him in the Closet of thine Heart , where thou , in secret , maist vnfold thy Loue : There clip him fast , let him not thence depart , till Hee with him , from hence , doe thee remoue . Who will be soone intreated There to stay , because it is the rest of his desire : And needes hee must take thee with him away , if Nuptiall Loue doe make you two intire . Which dignitie , of my Celestiall Soule , when well I weigh ( deare Lord ) I maruell not Though in my Mud , thy Sonne himselfe did roule , to seeke , in my true shape , to knit this knot . But muse I may at mine ingratitude , my madnesse , dulnesse , and grosse impudence ; That doe neglect they Loues beatitude , and prostitute my Soule to foule Offence . That I should , carelesly , his Loue neglect , that is the beaming beauty of thy State ; And woo the vgly Diuell , in effect , thy sacred Image to adulterate . This doth exceede all wonderments excesse ; this Prodigie , is more then monsterous ; That any Soule should loue meere vglinesse , before meere beauty , more then glorious ! How can I thinke vpon thy boundlesse Loue ; and not pursue my selfe with endlesse Hate ? That , for my sake , didst hels of torments proue , to pull me out of Hell , and damned state . And , when I view my Bodies Edifice , I finde so many of thy bounties there , As might the Heart of Hate to Loue intice ; for , in each haire-breadth of it they appeare . Th' Arteries , Sinewes , Nerues , Veynes , Ligaments , Heart , Lungs , Lights ; and , in few , the All , in All , Are thy Loue-tokens , and kinde Complements , that mak'st thy selfe , throgh Lordly loue , my thrall . Wherein if I should still Philosophize , I should finde matter still to praise thy name ; For this Mindes Organ yeelds such Harmonies as still in silence celebrate thy Fame . This Wonder is the Worlds Epitomie , a little World , true abstract of the Great , Yet greater then the Great in dignitie , though that in quantitie be more compleate . O! how should I to grace thy Grace be glad , for that thou mad'st me not in deed , or sight , Blinde , lame , deafe , epilepticke , mute , or mad ; but sound in Soule and Minde ; in Body , right . Yet ( Lord ) ô yet I want , ( for nothing is brought from Not-being to a Being blest Immediately ) sith yet I am amisse ; but all things , by degrees , attaine their best . For , in the Worke of Nature , Sense perceiues that first of all the Matter she prepares ; Then fits it to the Forme which it receiues ; but formes it not perhaps in many yeares . Yet she doth not , as lacking Pow'r , or Art , leaue ought imperfect which she takes in hand ; Yet , out of hand , she perfecteth no Part ; but , that shee doth in time , in Sea , and Land. Then thou that art her Soueragine , canst thou lacke of her perfection in thy Workes begun ? Canst thou , Almightie , see Them goe to wracke ? or , through neglect , to leaue them halfe vndone ? Effects vnto their Causes onely looke , that they from them Perfection may receiue ; Then , of their Causes , if they be forsooke , they make a show but onely to deceiue . Thou art my sole beginning , and mine end ; then end that well which thou hast well begun : Thou art my Cause ; then me , th' Effect , amend ; that I from grace , to grace may euer runne . Thine Eyes , all-seeing , see great Wants in me ; supply those wants ( deare Lord ) and let me want Nothing but wants that wanting are in thee , sith what thou want'st , to thee is discrepant . Let no Blocke be more dull to apprehend that thou wouldst haue escape , vntride , then I ; Let my Wit for thy foolishnesse contend ; and , let that Folly be my Wisedomes Eye . Then , in th' Egyptian darknesse of this life , I shall behold the glory of thy Sonne : And shape my course , by him , in Stormes of strife : for all thy fooles doe striue to him to runne . Then , with that Protomartire , shall I see ( the Canopie of Heau'n being op'ned wide ) The beaming beauty of the Trinitie ; that by none , but such fooles , can be espide . Let me be wise in deed , and not in show , sith neuer shades haue substances begot ; And they know nothing , as they ought to know , that know not they are fooles that know thee not . The Foole hath said , in heart , No God there is : so saith he , sith he knowes not otherwise : Then , Truth and Wisedome cals him Foole for this ; because true Wisedome in this Knowledge lies . The Pagan-wisedome , though it knew , what not ? that was beneath the Circuit of the Sunne ; Yet was that wisedome fondly ouer-shot , sith all was vaine It knew , when all was done : For , vnder Heau'n ( as saith thy sacred Truth , ) remaineth nought that is not more then vaine : What wisedome then , from knowing it ensu'th ; but such as Fooles , by knowing Bables , gaine ? Then let the World still make a Foole of mee , So I may onely know my selfe and Thee . A Thankesgiuing for our Being . LEst Thankelesnesse should close thy Bounties hand , ( which it alone ( kind Lord ) hath pow'r to do ) And sith thou giuest what thou dost command , if we but stretch our Good-wils hand thereto : Kinde lib'rall Lord , giue me an able will to thanke thee for thy gifts ; that by one gift I may be gratefull for another still ; which is of Willing-want the onely shift . I thanke thee then , not onely for my Being , ( being as I am the liuely forme of thee ) But for that thy high Prouidence all-seeing doth striue to make me euer better Bee ! For , should thy hand be but a moment clos'd , I should to nought resolue , as once I was ; For thou my time of moments hast compos'd , the last of which I cannot ouer-passe . Then looke how many moments I exist , so many blessings dost thou giue to mee ; Preuenting me with others ere I wist , that so my Being might right blessed be . From my Conception , to Natiuitie thou keptst me saf● ( thogh strait kept ) in the womb , My Mothers Bowels might haue strangled me , but that thy Mercies hand still made me roome ! Wherein I felt ( ere I could feele , or see ) the blessings of thy tender Prouidence : And , lest I should ( perhaps ) abortiue be , thou gau'st me there , full nine Months residence . Where , how thou fedd'st me , by the Navle-string , I may admire , but ne'er the same expresse ! And how thou didst my Parts together bring ( confus'd in slime ) it is no wonder lesse ! The longings of my Mothers appetite , her food , feares , griefes , fals , and such accidents , Might haue enforc'd her , ere my Frame was pight , eft to diffuse me in the Elements . For , when I was an Embrio , but a thought might haue redrown'd me in Not-beings Pit ; But then thou thoughtst on me , and so hast wrought that Danger , from her Mouth , me , safe , did spit . How happily-vnhappy had I bin to be made Man in possibilitie , And marr'd , eu'n as my making did begin ; so , straight to finde , and lose Humanitie . That which we neuer had , we neuer lost : therefore for losse of that we cannot grieue : But , rare things had , to lose , doth grieue vs most ; for better still dead , then but now to liue . Then to be borne within no Pagan Clyme , addes no small waight to this great Benefit : But , come of Christians , in good place and time , and , am a Christian , much more maketh it . And am a Christian ! ô that so I were as I am nam'd ; and still desire to b● ; That I might say I am ; and so appeare : sith but to seeme good , is too bad with thee . For thou great GOOD , that call'st thy selfe I AM , dost loue I am ; not was , nor yet will be : Then , let me say I am ( in deede , and name ) thy Seruant , that but liues to honour thee . For , sith I haue such Beeing , let me be such as I AM , not as I am ; that is , Such as Thou art , most perfect Pietie : for , thou art , wast , and euer wilt-be this . Besides , thou hast and dost preserue me still from all misse-fortunes , and from so daine Death : Which , in this World ( that dangers ouer-fill ) is more then Fortune can to Man bequeath . How many haue I seene the Warres to weare ! & might haue seen hāg'd , drown'd , staru'd , burnt , & torne ! How many poyson'd ! spill themselues , with feare , with Pox , Plagues , Pestilence how many worne ! The thousands blinde , deafe , dumbe , lame , leperous ; besides the Millions otherwise distrest In Minde and Body , with griefes dolorous , make me to see how much my State is blest . For , that which fell to any one of these might me befall , be'ing euill as they be ; And , that I haue more soundnesse , ioy , and ease , it is ( to winne my loue ) thy loue to me . If any mortall King should for one crime , many condemne ; and saue but one or two : And , I , of those condemnd , should be the prime , yet first of those two saued , should be too : How would my Heart be rauish'd with his Loue ? and how would all my Pow'rs striue him to serue ? Then , no lesse Grace thy grace doth make me proue ; nay , more , much more , thou dost my loue deserue . For , double thou deseru'st , in treble kinde ; thou sau'dst my Soule and body , doom'd to Death ; And from all franticke passions keep'st my Minde : therefore I owe thee Minde , Soule , Body , Breath . For , t is thy Grace , we be not all consum'd ; but , most of all my selfe , that most doth sinne : Sith on that Grace I haue , to sinne , presum'd ; yet still , by grace , seek'st me , from sinne , to win . A Body thou hast giu'n me , that doth lacke , all that thou giu'st me to continue life : And , lest , through want thereof , It should to wrack , with me those gifts are no lesse rich , then rife . All things thou mad'st for me ; and me , for Thee ; for me Ground , Graine ; Trees , Fruit ; Mines , Mettall bear : Aire , Fowle ; Seas , Fish ; & Fish & Fowle , for me , produce most glorious Pearle , and Plumes to weare ! For me , Seas , Ships ; Ships , Sailes ; Sailes , Winds endure , to bring me Benefis from forraine Lands : For me , Flouds , flow ; Wels , spring ; Springs , Water pure doe yeeld ; that I should yeeld to thy commands . Sheepe , Oxen , Kine , Goates , Buckes , and other Beasts yeeld Flesh , Fleece , Fels , Milke , Oile , & Hornes for me : For me , the Hound doth cry , the Spaniell quests , to teach me how to cry , with hope , to Thee . The Hornes of Vnicornes ( that precious be ) are mine , though they do weare them for my sake : Plants Vertue haue , not for themselues , but me : so , things of eu'ry suite me Prime doe make ! What would I more ? there 's nought hath being got on , or in Earth , in Water , or in Aire , That eyther feedes , or heales , or sports me not : so that this World doth nought but me repaire . If I the Elementall World transcend , to view the Heau'nly Orbes ; what Wonders There Sunne , Moone , and Stars , I see , who all attend but for my good , for which they framed were . For me , alone , they influence impart to these inferiour Bodies , seruing mine ; For me , doth Time himselfe in pieces part , that I , beyond Time , might be wholy thine . Nay , let me passe the nine-fold Orbes of Heau'n , and to thy sacred Mansion let me flee ; For whom had all thine Angels essence giu'n , But for thy seruice , and to waite on me ? To backe me , and defend me from my Foes ; to hold me vp , when ere I did decline : To comfort me in Soule-afflicting Woes ; and , to thy presence bring my Soule in fine . Now if the Ends , for which Things formed were , be better then the Things ( for , so they be ) Then , better than the Angels Men appeare ; sith they ( it seemes ) for men were made by Thee . And , Men , and Angels fell through onely Pride ; but , for deare Mans Redemption thou didd'st die : Yet , for no one of th' Angels hast thou di'd ; which much augments mans hope , and dignitie ! O then what Heart can once but thought-conceiue in what strict Tearmes I stand obleig'd to thee ; Sith me thou mad'st most Glory to receiue through mee ; as , through the Eye , Men glory see . Wake , wake thy selfe , my Soule ; why sleep'st thou stil ? see who it is that hath thus done : for whom ? Not for the Angels , which obey his Will ; but , for thee , sinfull Soule , his choisest Home ! Cast , if thou canst , a Number numberlesse ; and , count his gifts with Stars , or with Sea-sand : The bottome gage , of his Grace bottomlesse ; Or , if thou canst not , wonder-mazed stand ! Yet , stand thou with , and for Him , while thou art ; that is , as long as he himselfe exists : That is , while GOD hath but an humane Heart ; which is , but while Eternitie consists . As God is GOD , he hath no Heart at all ; but , as true Man he is , he hath Mans Heart : Then , GOD , and MAN can ne'er asunder fall ; though Men from GOD themselues too often part . But GOD , that hast Mans Heart ( and , so , hast mine ; sith I am Man , although a sinfull one : ) Still let thy Heart be mine , and mine be thine : that I may haue no Heart to grieue our owne . I greatly doe desire , with great desire ▪ to praise and loue thee GOD ( Mans harts repose ! ) But Praise and Loue , in Mouth , and Heart of mire ( through foulenes of that filth ) their grace do lose . But , sith all Creaetures thou hast made for mee , ( for , whatsoe'er is made , I owe the same ! ) I le call on them , with me , to call on THEE , to giue me grace to loue and praise thy Name . Then , ô yee all his Workes , your voyces reare ( with man his master-piece ) that He would grant To me his Grace , to sound his praises cleare : and to supply , in Loue , my louings want . To make my Mouth pure , fit to hold his praise ; and make my Heart cleane , meete to lodge his loue : That Heart and mouth may so his glory raise , while I his Grace , in grace or glory proue : That I in Grace , and Glory may be knowne , To liue but for that praise and loue alone . A Meditation gratulatory for our redemption . WHen I excogitate the great Good-turnes thou hast done for me , ô extreamest Good ! With heate of Zeale , my seathing Marrow burnes ; and , flames of seruent Loue doe boile my bloud ! Especially , for that when thou had'st form'd my Soule and body , I deforming each , Thou , with thine own dierewrack , hast me reform'd and , with thy precious bloud becam'st my Leach . Thou mightst , for e'er , haue banish'd me thy sight , with the proud Angel , and his cursed Crue : For , my fault was like his ; but , more vnright : then , to the same a greater Plague was due ! And , that thou hast not onely spar'd my Paine ; but , therewithall , bought endlesse blisse for me : ( So that my Fall doth fall out to my gaine ! ) I am in straightest bonds oblieg'd to Thee . And , for thou mad'st me , me to thee I owe ; sith thou redeem'd me , much more owe I thee : And , would , ô would , I could my selfe bestovv to pay that More , that 's lesse then due from me . And , so much more thou ought'st to be belou'd , by how much greater were thy griefes , and state ; And how much lesse then ought'st to be reprou'd , whose life was more then most immaculate ! Who , What , and Wherefore , dost thou suffer , Lord ? and , who art Thou , that suffer'st for mans sake ? O tell me ; for , I will diuulge thy Word that all things made , men marred to re-marke . First , for thy selfe , with what rich tearmes of Art shall I expresse Thee , inexpressable ! I le say , as thou said'st , Thou art , what Thou art ; because , Thou know'st , Thou wert ineffable ! Thou art a BEEING more then infinite ; and , being of thy selfe , proceed'st of none : Without thee , can no being chance to light ; for , Chance , and being light by Thee alone . Thy matchlesse pow'r , of nothing , all things made ; thy Goodnesse saues all without other aide : And , if thou wouldst , to nothing They should fade ; for , in , for , and by thee , they all are staid . Thou onely art that art ! and , nothing is besides thee , in comparison of thee ! The Lamps of Heau'n their light before thee misse , whose brightnesse bright'st Eyes are blinde to see ! All beautie 's Foulenesse ; Pow'r , infirmitie ; Wisedome , Grosse Folly ; Goodnesse , worse then nought ; Weigh'd with thy more then All sufficiencie : more faire , strong , wise , and good , then can be thought . More then most faire , sith selfe - Formositie ; and , more then pow'rfull , sith Omnipotent ! Much more then Wisedome , sith her Soules right eye ; exceeding Goodnesse , sith her Continent ! Yea , good thou art , both to the good and bad ; for good and bad sucke sweetnesse still from thee : With good gifts , good Soules , thou dost ouer-lade ; and good'st the bad , to make them better be . Without distraction , thou dost all in All ; Thou All contain'st , yet art in eu'ry place : And yet , art all alike in great and small , yet here then there much greater by thy Grace . Thou euer work'st ; yet , euer art at rest , resting in endlesse dooing thy good Will : Thou all vphold'st ; and yet , art not supprest : th' art Good alone ; and yet , thou suffer'st ill . Thou Cause of Causes art ; yet caused art to punish sinne ; yet , didst for sinners die : Thou art impassible ; yet sufferd'st smart : lower then Hell ; yet , more then Heau'n hie . What shall I say of thy dread Maiestie ? Thou Earth behold'st , and It doth trembling stand ! Touch but the Mountaines , and they smoke thereby , then Seas and Windes doe rest at thy command . The Sunne ( with gloomy Clouds enueloped ) doth hide his head , whē thou ( his head ) dost frown : The Moone and Stars , with Cloud-cloakes couered , in their confusion ( sham'd ) doe , then , lye downe . Thou spread'st the Heau'ns , & marchest on the deepe , whilst her deepe Base yeelds dreadfull harmonie : Thou mak'st the Spheares both Time & Tune to keep , maugre their Discords , and varietie . Thou call'st the Stars by name , who come at call , and like true Sentinols keepe well their watch ▪ Hiperion , that guides the Capitall , ( to thee subordinate ) doth key their Catch . Thou anglest for the huge Leuiathan ; and throgh his Nostrils , mak'st thy Hooke appeare : Which being hang'd thou playest with him than , as with a Fish , that hangs but by an Haire . Hell quakes when thou dost volly forth thy voice , which Bandies Earth as t were a Racket - Batt : The Heau'ns shall melt and passe away with noise , when thou thy Creatures to account shalt call . Vpon the Necks of Monarchs thou dost treade ; and pau'st the Pauement with their Diadems . The dreadfull Pow'rs of thy Pow'r stand in dread ; and Glory it selfe , is blinded by thy Beames . The Seraphins ( though glitt'ring-glorious Sp'rits ) in thy bright presence seeme but Butterflies : Thou rid'st vpon the Cherubins , whose sights thy Beautie blinds , with rates that thence arise . To thee the Gates of Death lye open wide , which , on their Hinges , play as thou dost will : Nay , Death himself doth quake , whē thou dost chide as if it would his Soule , immortall , kill . The Heau'ns declare thy glory ; Fire , thy brightnesse ; the Aire , thy subtiletie ; the Sea thy Dread : The flowers of the Field , thy Beauties brightnesse : thus , all in All , thy praise abroad doe spread . Such , and so great ! such , and so great ( quoth I ) nay , Lord much more then such , or so , Thou art : For Words defectiue are ; so , needs must lye ; but , thou ( Lord ) art deficient in no part . And now , let me recount the wretched wronges which so great Maiestie hath borne for mee ; And , whiles I count , let Men and Angels Tongues sound endlesse Peales of Praises vnto Thee ! Who , being so sublime , in dignitie , did'st from the height of Maiestie descend Into this vale of deepest miserie ; and , cloath'd thee with my flesh , the same to mend . Wherein thou suffer'dst , for my sinfull sake , Hunger and Thirst , in famishing excesse : With Plagues and Persecutions ; which did make to seeme accursed thy true blessednesse . The Passions of the Aire , thou did'st abide , as Prologus to thy PASSIONS Tragedie ; For , Heate , and cold thy Body damnifide , ( as needs they must ) that hadst no where to lye . Whose Pouerty was such , that Birds and Beasts were much more rich , that Neasts , & Holes enjoy'd But thou ( deare Lord ) hadst neither Holes nor neasts , nor ought besides , wherein thy Head to hide . Borne in a Stable ; Cradel'd in a Cratch ; begging the breath of beasts to keepe thee warme ; Wrapped in Rags , that coursest Clouts did patch ; which did thy tender flesh lesse warme then harme . O sight of force to wonder-rap all Eyes ! Yee Angels all admire this Noueltie ▪ For lo , your Lord , in base Rags wrapped lyes , to shew the riches of Humilitie ! And , eight dayes after , took'st a Sinners Marke , that cam'st , indeed , to abrogate the same : Soone after , wast constrain'd to vse the Darke to hide thy Flight , that fledd'st to hide thy Fame . Therefore thou sought'st the silence of the Night to be the Triton of thy Lowlinesse : Yet , now the World began thy Fame to spight , and in the rise did seeke It to suppresse . Herod , thy Hunter , like a Bloud-hound fell , did hunt for Thee , that He on Thee might pray : For , what thou wert , he , by and by , did smell ; and , hunted after Thee a likely way . But , to a Nation , most Idolatrous , thou wast constraind , from his p●rsuite , to flye : So , Innocencie Life preserued thus : for which , deare Innocents were forc'd to dye . Then , Innocencie , Innocencie slew : how then could It therein be innocent ? For , both are innocent ; yet both is true : the first in deede ; the other , in euent . They lost their bloud for Him ; He , his for Them : so , both did bleede ; and for each other bled : And , both , as Innocents , their blouds did streame ; He , as their Head ; They , Members of that Head. O! had I beene so blest , ere Sinne I knew , t' haue di'd for thee , among those Innocents : Or , that I could my sinnes , to death , pursue ; or , make them liue like banish'd male-contents . Then would I dye for thee , an Innocent , if curst Herodian hands would blesse me so : O let me trie this deare Experiment , ( although it cost my Heart-bloud ) er● I goe . For when , before my Mindes Eye , thou dost come in all thy Passions , my desire doth melt My very Marrow , to taste Martyrdome ; and Sense feeles paine till it such paines hath felt ! It may be , that I doe but , now , desire to doe that ; then , I may desire to flye ; For , he that was thy bodyes hardiest Squire so thought , and said ; but did It , then , deny ! Flesh , is a Traitor , worse then hee that solde thee ; it will , for Meede , or Dread , the Soule betray : Nor , in fire , is it willing to behold thee ; in fiery tryals then , it shrinckes away . Therefore , when it a Champion , of such might , betraid to feare , I dare not say , I will ; ( No , that 's Presumption ) but I wish I might : for , willing well , without thee , we doe ill . Then , be with me , strong Pow'r , and I will say I will ; and will performe , that will , in Deed : For , where thou art , by Pow'r , it 's but a play in greatest torments ( then ) to burne , or bleed . Now , as thy Body grew , so grew thy griefes ; for , who ( deare Lord ) can possibly expresse Thy Persecutions , void of all reliefe , saue Praying , Fasting , Watching , Wearinesse ! They spake against thee , who sate in the Gate ; and common Drunkards ballads made of thee : That thou might'st say ( in worse then Dauids state ) being poore , I labour from mine Infancie . These were the griefs ( dear Loue ) thy life did brook , but , in thy Death what Sense ere vnderstood What paines thou felt'st ; when ( like a rising brooke ) thy body , more and more , o'erflow'd with bloud Freedome , made Captiue ; Mercy , Miserie ; Grace , quite disgraced ; beauty , vilifide ; Innocence , strooken ; Iustice , doom'd to dye ; Glory , quite shamed ; and , Life , crucifide ! O Heau'ns ! what can amaze , with Wonderment , the Sense of Man more then this ? what shall I Call this so strange vnheard of Loues extent , that ouer-fils all Names Capacitie ! In few : now Grace , alone , seemes Sinne , alone ; Life , dyes ; State 's , whipt ; and , Pow'r bound to a Poast The Glory of the Father spet vpon ! and , in a word , God , seemeth to be lost ! In this Deepe , further , may my Soule not wade , my strength is spent ; for , my heart bleedes in me : O glorious Grace ! O Maiestie vnmade ! is this for me , O boundlesse Charitie ! If I , for my Redemption , am so tide to loue , and honour thee ; What shall I bee For that thou did'st so many Deaths abide , ( when one wold serue ) to make me more than free ? With what loue shall I quite this , more then , Loue ? with what life shall I imitate thy life ? With what teares shall I my repose reproue ? and , with what Peace shall I conclude my strife ? I owe thee more for my redeeming ( Lord ) ( sith in the same thou Death of deaths didst proue ) Then for my Making ; ( which was with a Word ! ) for , more , much more , thy Passion showde thy loue ! For , if for Cherubins , or Seraphins thou had'st thus di'd , t 'had beene lesse meruellous : But , thou hast di'd for me ( a Sincke of sinnes ! ) which , of all Wonders , is most wonderous ! What are we , Lord ? or what our Fathers House , ( we Sons of wretched Men ) that Gods deere Senne Doth in such loue and mercie visit vs , as , through Death , to re-make vs quite vndone , If in the ballance of thy Sanctuary thou weigh our body , t' will be found more light Than Vanitie ; more graue then Misery ▪ as if It did consist in Natures spight ! And , if our Conuersation thou respect , what is it but a Chaos of Offence ! The Goodnesse of whose All , is all Defect ! whose very Sou●'s but Hell of Conscience ! Dost thou , ô God , then for such Diuels die , ( the Sonnes of Sathan most oppos'd to thee ! ) For the Subuerters of all Honestie ! for breakers of good Lawes that blessed be ? For thy Contemners , for thy Gloryes Clouds ! for thy Deprauers , for the worst of Ils ! For meere cu●st Thwarts , of all Beatitudes ! for thy Tormentors that thy Soule would kill ! Whose Hearts , no gifts , can once allure to loue , much lesse , with Menaces , are terrifide ! Nor mou'd with heauy Plagues , that Rockes would moue ; nor yet , with sweet'st Indulgence , mollifide ! For Fiends , who not suffic'd with their owne vice , the Earth doe compasse ; so , to compasse more ! And , not contented others to intice diue to the Diuels to augment their store ! Where , robbing those Egyptians of their wealth , to weet , Pride , Enuy , Malice , blasphemie , ) Away they steale ( so , all they doe by stealth ) to make them Idols for their Fantasie . Who , when they haue rak'● Hell for eu'ry Euill , and , got as much as Hell can hold , or yeeld , They then deuise themselues ( worse then the Diuel ) new kindes of sinnes , that Hell yet neuer held : Adding thereto obduracie of Heart ; and , doe , their Conscience , more then cauterize : Pleasing themselues ( like Fiends ) in others smart ; and , for that end , doe many meanes deuise : Are these ( deare Lord ) the things for which thou the things ( I say ) for , ( no Name is so ill As they deserue ; ) What , onely must the Highest diest ? dye for vile Vipers , that their Maker kill ? My Heart doth faile , my Spirit is extinct , when thus I weigh thy Mercies with my Sinne : And wert not for thy graces meere instinct , I should despaire ( deare Lord ) and dye therein . Yet , sith I haue begun to speake to thee , O be not angry if I yet doe speake : Let Dust , and Ashes once so saucie be to aske their God what He , hereby , doth seeke ? Seek'st thou the loue of such meere Lumps of Hate ? or else the seruice of such Vermine vile ? Alas ( great Lord ) it stands not with thy State , sith where they come , by nature , they defile . If thy desire of Marriage did so burne , that Thou thy Creatures would'st needes espouse , Why then did Seraphins not serue thy turne , that are more Noble , and thee better vse ? Why of a prepuce Nation took'st a Wife , which afterwards did Thee betray and kill ? So , marriedst , as it were , the very Knife , that cut thy throate ; so , seem'dst thy selfe to spill . What answer'st ( Lord ) to these too high Demands ? I would haue this , because I would have this : This is thine Answere ; and , the reason stands vpon thy Will , which cannot will amisse . Then be it ( Lord ) according to thy Will ; for , so it mu●● be , be it how so ere : By life , or death then , let me It fulfill ; that dost by both , thee , so , to mee endeere . For , since Mans fall , none passe to Paradise but by the dreadfull burning Cherubins ; To Canaan none , but by where Marah lies ; sith there th' inheritance of ioy begins . And none vnto the happy Citie goes , that goes not by the Babel-Riuers side : And , none Ierusalem or sees , or knowes , that through the vale of Teares nor goe ▪ ●orride . The way to Heau'n , is by the Gates of Hell ; and Wormwood-wine , thogh bitter , wholsome is : Thy Crosse ( ô Christ ) doth Heau'ns strong 〈◊〉 compell to open wide ; for , t is the Key of blisse ! And , sith for me , so well thou loud'st that Crosse , Let me , for thee , count all things else but losse . A Thanksgiuing for our Vocation . WIth all the pow'r and vertues of my Soule I doe adore thee holy Lord of All ! That when I had no name in thy check-rowle , thou wrat'st it on thy Palme , and me didst call . I dwelt , sometimes , in blacke Obliuions Land , where , in the shade of Death , I sadly sate ; But , thou ( kind Lord ) didst reach me , then , thy hand , which , from thence , drew me to a glorious state . When as I wandred , in the crooked wayes , that , too directly , led to endlesse paine , Thou didst thy forces , then , against me raise , to put me in thy way , perforce againe . When thou hadst plung'd me in the Font of Grace , so clens'd the filth I was conceiued in , Though there I vow'd to keepe me in that case , I brake my vow and me re-suncke in sinne . So that sweet Temple which thou sanctifi'dst in me , for thee , I , cursedly , did blesse : Raising therein , that which thou least abid'st , namely , the Idoll of Voluptuousnesse . Then , liu'd I as an Out-law ; when , it seem'd by Law , or Fiend , or Foe might me surprise : But , I , of thee yet , then , was so esteem'd , that thou , by Law , didst quit me , in this wise : The Law requir'd Death , or Obedience ; then , thou , for me , didst more then Law requir'd : Which di'dst for sinne , yet liu'dst in innocence : so thou , thereby , didst more then It desir'd ! Yet , ere I once did thinke vpon thy Grace I liu'd as loose , as if I had beene bound To nothing but to Persons , Time and Place that sought my Soule and body to confound . So , past my Dayes that rather lookt like Night ; nay , rather like the Darke that may be felt ; Wherein my selfe ne'er came within my sight , although I might mine vnsweet life haue smelt . Then , like blinde Baiard , being bold as blinde , I ranne , as Fancy led me , eu'ry where , To doe the Deedes of darknesse , in their kinde , and , with me , others blinded so , did beare . Then , what was it the Diuell could deuise to clog a Soule with Sinne , exceeding Sinne , But I to doe it was as quicke , as wise ? the rather , sith my Soule did ioy therein . Then , carnall beautie was the onely Sunne that warm'd me at the heart ; and lent me light : A Light , and Heate by which were quite vndone mine Eyes , & Heart ; nay , Body , Soule , & Spright . For , all confounded were , as they had bin no more themselues , but beauties shadowes vaine ; Attending her in whatsoeuer Sinne , as Toyes , that had bin stitched to her Traine . Then , were my Feete as swift as swiftest Roes Mans bloud to shed ; and , so thy Forme deface : My friends to wrong , and treble wrong my foes ; to shunne the good , and bad men to embrace . Then , those things onely , pleased best my taste , that were distastiue to thy sacred Sense : And , that time ( onely ) I esteemed waste , that to thy Seruice had most reference . Thy Name , to my vncircumcized Eare , was harsh , and fill'd the same with all offence : Which I did deadly hate , through seruile feare ; but , seru'd thy Foes with treble diligence . The World , the Flesh , and thy Competitor ( that for my Soule with Thee do aye contend ) Made me their Slaue , and seruil'dst Seruitor ; so , gaue my Minde , thy Kindome , to the Fiend . Thy Word to me seeem'd most ridiculous , as full of Crackes , as Contradiction : And , no lesse witlesse , then most barberous ; so , made I it a Ground to play vpon . The fairest Church ( then ) seem'd the fowlest Iaile ; a Preacher , like an Headsman , kill'd me quite : Words , least diuine , with me did most preuaile ; and Peace of Conscience still in me did fight . In briefe , I was , for which my selfe I hate , such , as on whom VICE show'd what she could do When she did light but on a low estate : for , what Deedes shee deuis'd , my Hand was to . In this time of my young , yet doating , Age , thou didst expect me ( Lord ) and lent'st me breath : Yea , didst attend me , like that Princes Page , that alwayes put his Lord in minde of Death . O altitude of Grace surmounting Grace ! ô magnitude of Mercy most extreame ! How many settings-out , in such a Race , haue beene o'er-taken with thy Furies Streame ? Yet , I , most blessed-cursed-blessed I haue ( by the Mercy , more then most diuine ) Beene suffer'd to be tir'd with vanitie , and , yet preseru'd , till brought to Grace in fine . Had Iustice hands , which , then , still vrged were , drawne me before her High Tribunall Throne , And , by a Quest of Angels , tride me there , I had beene cast , and more then ouerthrowne . But , blest be thine vnconquer'd Patience , that me forbore , till I to sinne forbare : And , blessed be thy Mercies prepotence , by which , I warded was , and bid beware . Forcing into my Soule the feare of Hell , the sight of Sinne , Lifes vaine and short expence , With thy Lawes strictnesse ; all which still impell my Heart , though Steele , to melt in penitence ! Yea , when my feet were fast in Follies Stockes , thou didst by Grace ( past Grace ) extort from me Whole Flouds of Teares , from two most flintie Rockes , ( my Heart , and Eyes ) for , so , offending thee . And , when I fled from thee , as if it had beene matter of small moment Thee to flee , Thou follow'dst me ( I being worse then mad ) to keepe me from the Furies following mee . Thus , long we straue , and , striuing long , at length thou didst preuaile , and tam'd my Coltish Will ; Yet t was by holy Fraud , and mightie Strength , which claw'd me while they did restraine me still . For , no lesse was thy Mercies skill herein , then thy Pow'rs force : for , sinfull Soules to cure : Showes skilfull Grace : and , Men that most doe sinne to iustifie , bewraies almightie Pow'r . And , ô how many Graces giu'st thou me with this meere guilt of my Vocation ! Firme Faith , sure Hope , and perfect Charitie , with all the Vertues that attend thereon . And though I cannot be assured Lord , to serue thee to the end , and meeke withall : Yet , doe my Faith , and Hope rest on thy Word ; which sure doth stand , though oft ( vnsure ) I fall . Thy Sp'rit likewise , doth witnesse to my Sp'rit , that thou dost loue me more than tenderly : Sith in thy Loue , thou mak'st my Loue delight ; which loue erst lothed thy Loue mortally . Blessed be thou , therefore , great Lord of Grace , for giuing me thy deare adopting Spirit To nurse , and teach , and rule me in my Race , and , thee and me , vnioynde , to re-vnite . And , blessed be that euer-blessed DAY , wherein that Ghest did make my Soule his Inne : And be that Houre , and Moment blessed aye , wherein my Will gaue way to let him in . That Day was the true Sabboth of my rest ; that Day I left th' Egyptian seruitude : That was my second Birth-day , truely blest , who , then , was borne to all Beatitude . It was mine Easter-day , wherein I rose from Death of Sinne , vnto the Life of Grace ! It was the Day my Heau'nly Husband chose to marry me ; and , Coort me face , to face . Let Iob and Ieremy ban their birth-Day , this will I blesse with Heart Mind , Mouth , & Pen ; Sith , then , the Angels , in their best aray , saluted me , as their Co-cittizen . Wherein God call'd me Son , and Christ dear Spouse ; the Holy-Ghost his Temple ; and when all The Holy TRINITIE did trimme the House of my poore Soule , that teady was to fall . Deare Lord ! with what deare Words , or dearer Deedes no , dearest Words and Deeds are all too weake To match thy Mercies ; but my Soule must needs quite breake , if not into thy Praises breake . I le sing to thee as Dauid once did sing , O Lord , how glorious are thy Workes of Grace ! And as the Angels Peales of Praises ring , so , will I praise thee though my voyce be base . The worke of my Creation show'd great Loue ; and that of my Redemption , more exprest : Yet that of my Vocation most did moue ; but , that , that Iustifide me past the rest ! The gift of Glory ( still to Saints assign'd ) is great , so great , that none may greater be ; Yet to be iustified , is , in his kinde , as great a gift , and no lesse laudeth thee . To make Men iust that are in sinfull case , is more then to make iust Men glorious : Sith greater ods there is twixt Sinn and Grace , then is twixt Grace , and Glory ; God and Vs. My Making and Redemption had but made m'excuse the lesse , and my Damnation more ; Except my Soule thou hadst made iustly glad , in iustifying me that sinned sore ! Whiles , therefore , on these things I meditate , my Soule entranced lies ; as if she were No more my Senses ; or my bodies Mate , but , were transform'd to Admiration here . What shall I render Lord ? ô how shall I remunerate , ( ô that can ne'er be done : ) Or how shall I but praise thee worthily ? but , such praise doth my pow'r no lesse out-runne . O that the Organs of my Soule were such , as , with thy praise , they Heau'n and Earth might fill ; I would therein reioyce much more then much , but , Lord , accept the freedome of my Will. For , could it make thee more then what thou art , ( thogh more cannot be wisht , much lesse conceiu'd ) I would performe a right Well-willers part , and make thee what it could , for Grace receiu'd : Then , let my Will be aided by thy Might , That Will , in Deed , may praise thy Name aright . Of Gods vnutterable Being , with desire of the Soule to be swallowed vp with the loue of his Maiestie . O Past-beginning , and immortall Sp'rit ; eternall , and incomprehensible : Incircumscrib'd in Maiestie and Might ; seene all in All , yet most insensible : Immutable , impassible , most iust ; inscrutable ; in mercy , most compleate : From whom they came , and vnto whom they must that doe beleeue thou art as good , as great : Who by thy ne'er-too-much applauded Word hast framed whatsoe'er created is ; One blessed TRINITIE , in true accord of perfect Vnitie , and boundlesse blisse ! If that great Patriarcke , Father of the Iust , ( who albeit thou deign'dst to call thy Friend ) Yet in respect He Ashes was , and Dust , did feare to speake to Thee , that Eare did lend : Nay , if the highest Orders of those Sprights , that , in thy presence , burne , through loue of thee , Dare not , vpon thine Essence , fixe their sights , lest they , through glory , should confounded be : If these so pure , so deare , so holy Ones , so fearefull are to speake , or looke on thee , Who albeit they sit themselues on Thrones , yet , in thy sight , through loue , so awfull be : How shall a Shorelesse Sea of Misery , a Sincke of Sinne , a Sacke of filthiest dung , ( All which , ah woe therefore , deare Lord , am I ! ) once dare , to thee , to stirre or Eye , or Tongue ? But , sith ( sweet Lord ) I can no way obtaine that awfull reu'rence , which is due to thee , Vnlesse mine Eyes still fixt on thee remaine , and made amazed with thy Maiestie : Vouchsafe me leaue ( dread God ) vouchsafe me leaue to lift mine Eyes vnto thy Throne of Grace ; O let thy brightnesse , mine Eyes , splendor giue ; and blinde them not that long to see thy Face . I see ( dread Lord ) thou , onely , thou art Hee that dost transcend our vnderstandings reach ; And yet , by vnderstanding , well I see they see thee best , to whom thy beames doe stretch . Then , ô most bright , faire , wise , kinde , liberall ; most stable , simple , subtile , gracious ; Secret , yet knowne ; vnscene , yet seeing All : vnmou'd , yet mouing ; in rest , making vs : Whom Latitudes dilate , nor Bounds restraine ; Varietie doth change , nor Passions moue : Rest makes not idle , nor Worke puts to paine , who art not hurt by Hate , nor holp by Loue. From whom , Obliuion , nothing can detract ; to whom , Remembrance , can as little adde : Who art Dilated most , yet most Compact : not grieu'd in Sorrow , nor in Solace glad : To whom there 's nothing past , much lesse to come ; sith Time and Place still present be with thee : Of all this All thou art the totall Summe ; beyond which nothing is , much lesse can be ! For , th' art in all things , yet art not included ; but yet , in all things , art thou , by sufficing : Thou art without all , yet art not excluded ; but , without all things , thou art , by comprising . Th' art vnder All ; yet subiect vnto none ; but vnder All , that All might rest on thee : And farre aboue All , yet not proud thereon ; but , All , aboue ; that All might gouern'd be . Perfect in All , in none deficient ; Great without bounds , & Good without compare : Present in each Place , yet in no Place pent ; yet , whole in All , and parts , in All that are . In Pow'r , and Wisedome , most-most infinite ! in Counsaile , wonderfull ; in Iudgement , iust ; Secret , in thoughts ; in word , and Promise , right : glorious in Deedes , which glorifie our Dust ! Past all extent , thy Loue doth farre extend ; whose Mercie 's more , then most indefinite : Thy Patience more , than Pow'r can comprehend : because it is no lesse then is thy Might ! What shall I say , great-good , good-great-great Lord ! I feare , in these my Words , I doe offend : To seeme to circumscribe thee in a Word ; that art without all measure , meane , or end ! Thou art , ( ô sacred Sp'rits Angelicall , ( that haue fruition of Him face to face ) Lend me a Name by which I Him may call ; and may expresse some measure of his Grace ! Thou art too great , for GREATNES , ne'er so GREAT ! and far too good , for GOODNES , e'er so GOOD ! Who ( were it possible ) art more compleate in GOODNESSE , then thine owne Trin-vnion-hood ▪ Yet thou ( thou nameles Good ! who , thogh thus great ) dost bid vs seeke thee , for , who seeketh findes : Who , though not to be seene vpon thy Seate , yet sitt'st thou , seene , in Eyes of humble Mindes . Thou , thou art He , whom , to forsake , is death ; and , for whom life to leaue , is life alone : In whom , to breathe , is to breathe blessed Breath ; and , for whom to contend , is Vnion . No man fosakes thee , but the forlorne Foole : and , no one seekes thee , but whom thou dost seeke : Nor none can find thee , but whom thou dost schoole ; & , thou school'st none , but whom thy Lessons like . What should I say of thee ? or how shall I thy Goodnesse praise ? how shall I celebrate The glory of thy , back - parts , Maiestie , though ne'er so much thou it extenuate ? I le say as those , whom thou taugh'st what to say , thou measurest the Waters with thine Hand ; Vpon thy Palme thou dost the Heau'ns weigh : and , on thy Finger all the Earth doth stand ! Thou art that Ancient , ancienter then Dayes , whose Throne is like a bright ay-burning Flame ; The Wheeles wherof , like Fire that Sparks doth raise ; vpon whose Thigh is writ a glorious Name : Thy Body , like a beaming Chrisolite ; thy Face , like Lightning ; thine Eyes , Lampes of Fire ! Thine Armes , & Feete , like Brasse , all burnisht bright ; thy Voyce like Thunder , but It soundeth high'r . A fiery Streame , still floweth from thy Throne ; a thousand thousand minister to thee : Ten thousand thousand waite on thee alone ; and , Millions , by the Thousands , ready be ! Who , with a Beck , nay lesse , but with a Thought , rul'st Heau'n , and Earth , according to thy Will ; Which , tho most glorious both , thou mad'st of noght and , if thou would'st , a thought againe would spill ! Help , Lord , for I am in a groundlesse DEEPE , or endlesse Maze , that hath no comming out ! My Wits from drowning , and distraction keepe ; and , let me goe no more , this Gulph , about . For ; he that goes about to tell , with Words , what one thou art , doth eu'n as if he would Quite drowne the Sea , within the shallow'st Foords ; nay , more , sith thou art much more manifold . Who ere assisted thee ? or thee aduis'd ? who brought thee vp in Lore ? or gaue thee Wit ? And who thy Pow'r , at any time surpris'd ? or , what Foe was not dasht to Dust by It ? With whom the Sea seemes scarse a Water-drop ; the Islands , and maine Lands , a little Dust : The highest Heau'n is but thy Foot-stooles Top ; and , but into a Pricke , thou Earth dost thrust ! The Woods of Libanus cannot suffice to make Religious Altars fume to Thee : Nor all the Beasts can serue for Sacrifice that on a thousand thousand Mountaines be ! All Nations , nay , all Creatures whatsoe'er ( be they Celestiall , or Terrestriall ) Stand in thy sight , as if they Nothing were ; and , in respect of thee , are not at all . For if , in the bright presence of the Sunne , the Stars seeme not to be , although they are ; Then , in thy sight , must All to nothing runne ; sith , in the same , the Sunne cannot appeare . Therefore , with all created Essences , ô holy , blest , and glorious TRINITIE , I doe adore , with all obseruances , the Scepter of thy dread Diuinitie ! Thy Being's vniuersall ; most exact ! then , being such , what should my homage be ? And , being Grace , and Goodnesse , most abstract , how can I , wanting both , serenize thee ? Agnizing , then , the Wonders of thy Worth , ( prostrate , before thy sacred Mercies seate , With whatsoe'er Loues feare can vtter forth ) I more then celebrate thy glory great . With those thrice blessed Spirits , who laying downe their Crownes of Glory , at thy sacred Feete , Prostrate adore thee ; loe , I vaile the Crowne of all my Glory , to thee , blessed SWEET ! My Glory , Lord ? alas ! what doe I giue ? if I haue any , it is more than vaine : Then maist thou not that Gift of me receiue ; sith it must needes thy sacred Glory staine . Returne It then ( deare Lord ) my gift put backe ; and , I will giue thee what thou gau'st to me : That 's Loue , and Feare ; thou dost no Glory lacke ; yet , if thou giue it mee , I le giue it thee . But not to vs ( deare Lord ) ô not to vs , but to thy gracious NAME all glory giue ; Which was , and is , and shall be glorious , as long as God is God , or LIFE doth liue . But , vnto vs , Confusion onely's due ; for , Flesh and Bloud hath nought to glory in , But ( that which may decayed shame renue , ) a bleeding Conscience , and a world of Sinne ! But why doth Sol giue Light , the Fire giue Heate ? why's Water cold ? Earth , thicke ? or Aire so thinne ? The reason 's cleare ; by kinde , they doe that feate : so , thou , by kinde , ( kinde Lord ) forgiuest Sinne. Where Sin abounds , there Grace doth oe'er-abound ; for , t is thy glory ( God ) Sinnes to forgiue : For should'st thou Sinners , with the Sinne , confound , then , none should liue ; so , none should glory giue . For , in the nether Hell they praise thee not , sith t is the Hold of hedious Blasphemy : There is the Land where all things are forgot saue sad Despaire , and Death which cannot dye . But , in thine euer-blessed Hierarchy , the holy , holy , holy Lord of Hoasts ( In Soule-inchanting Heauenly Harmony ) is euer heard through those Celestiall Coasts . Then , make me such that , in the Life of grace , I temp'ra●●ly may glorifie thy Name : And , in the Life of glory , face to face , I may , for euer , much more doe the same . Consume the cloudy Fancies of my Minde with sacred flames of thine eternall Loue ; That , being by that purging fire refinde , thou maist if , on thy Trials Touch , approue . Then , let thy Glories zeale quite eate me vp , that all my Being may consist therein : So , I le carowse thy bitter Passions Cup ; sith to my Health ( kinde Lord ) thou didst begin . O let my life ( poore life ) nought else appeare but a sweet-smelling Sacrifice to thee : Or rather let it be an Offring here , that , with thy Loues fire , may consumed be . Then , metamorphose me into thy Loue , let me be quite transmuted to the same : That I may euer vpwards , flaming , moue , as doth , by Nature , a materiall flame . O! bottomlesse Abysse of Charitie , engulph me in thy Bowels , let thy Wombe Receiue Sinnes seede , that longs for sanctitie ; Then , let it still lie , buryed , in this Tombe : That so , I may , quite dead to Sinne , and Shame , Still liue in LOVE , to loue and praise thy NAME . A Repetition of Gods many Benefits , and Preseruations , with desire of the continuance thereof . VPon the bended knees of my poore Sp'rit , ( made poor by thy rich Mercies showr'd theron ) Thy Vertue I adore , with all my might , ô diuine VERTVE , Israels Holy ONE ! Sith thou , of thy vnlimitable grace , hast deign'd to make me know thy grace and pow'r . Nay , show'd to me the splendor of thy face , which doth my loue , much more then much allure . For giuing me my Being , being nought before ; and since , and since , for mending me : Though yet ( deare Lord ) I am not as I ought ; yet , as I am , I am most bound to thee . For that thou dost conserue me in such case ; that , as a liuely Member , I doe feele Thy liuely Members dolor , or disgrace ; and sinck in Soule , when they ( neere falling ) reele . For that thou dost my Natures essence keepe from running to the wracke of grace and nature : And , of a Wolfe , for making me a Sheepe ; and , of a Cast-away , a costly Creature . A costly Creature I right well may say ; sith it thy Heart-bloud cost to make me such ; Euen , then , when I was worse then cast away : for , I was damn'd before I knew so much . By thee I am , in sinfull state , preseru'd from sinfull state ; which stands where Sin doth raign . By thee I am from prides contrect conseru'd ; that faine would take out of thy hand thy raigne . If I doe fall , it 's when Thou stai'st me not ; if I doe rise , it 's by thy helping Hand : But , I ne'er fall but when I haue forgot that by thy Rod , and Staffe , I rise , and stand . As many good thoughts as my heart ere held , he held , in Capite , of Thee his Head : If well my little-World I ere did weild , I did it with thy Pow'r , but in thy stead . If none can say Lord Iesu but by Thee , much lesse , without thee , thee can any serue ; No more then Boughs yeeld Fruit , cut from the tree : then what we worke for ( Lord ) thou dost deserue . Therefore , if I haue fasted , watcht , or praid , if I haue Crosses borne , with Backe vnbroke , If I haue shed Contritions Teares , vnstaid , or crost my Will , or vp thy Crosse haue tooke : If in my prayers I haue thought on Thee , or that they haue preuail'd , or I relieu'd ; Or if my Will to Vertue hath beene free ; all these , as gifts , from Thee I haue receiu'd . How many vertuous Friends , and Ghostly Guides , how many good Examples , Lights of life , What like Bookes hast thou sent me , these besides , as Loue-signes whilst thou woo'dst me for thy Wife ? All which , to thee , I freely doe referre , that they , from thee , more freely may reflow : For , sith thou didst all these on me conferre ere I was thine ; now all Thine I doe owe. But , to recount the Perils I haue past ( thou being present , pointing out the way ) Is more then well Arithmetick can cast , which doe thy mercies , numberlesse , bewray ! And , into what , more than prodigious , Crimes I might haue fall'n , hadst thou not me vpheld , ( Yea , hadst thou not preuented me be times ) appeares by those that haue in sinne excell'd : For , neuer did the Diuell sinne so much , but that a fraile Man may commit as great If , with thy grace , his Heart thou doe not touch , and , with thy Pow'r , the pow'r of Sinne defeate . As many Meanes , then , as I had to sinne , and , fit Occasions as I had to fall ; So many might my Sinnes , and Fals haue bin , if I by thee had had no help at all . Occasions , are so violent , in Pow'r that they could Giant-foyling Dauid fall : For , they once tooke him vp into his Tow'r , from whence he fell , in part ; and after , all . Occasion is a Ianus , which doth looke to Vice and Vertue most indifferently ; But , by Sinnes watching him , he oft is tooke , and made the meane of much Impietie . Hee 's fain'd to stand vpon an vpright Bowle , to show his course is most indifferent : Except he meetes with rubs , which make him roule out of the way , which way those Rubs are bent . But , ô ! how often hast thou , with strong hand , ●ane him out of my way , lest I should fall , By reason he , in my way , right , did stand : for oft I stumble at Occasion small . How oft hast Thou the FOES hand manacled , because he should not fight , or if he should I should be Victor , and not vanquished ; and so get Grace , sith ( tride ) I held my Hold ? How often haue I march'd vpon my Foes , ( the Adder , Viper , and the Cocatrice ) And neuer was once stung , or hurt by those , ( thou had'st so charm'd the malice of their vice ! How oft hast thou walk'd hand , in hand , with me , through Fire and Water , all vntoucht of eyther ; Nay , so their Pow'rs were tempered by thee , that they wrought for my comfort altogether ! And , how oft haue they quite consumed bin who ( for not worshipping their senslesse Sawes ) Haue , in Afflictions Furnace , kept me in , the whiles I sang , for ioy , in Sorrowes Iawes ! That with the Psalmist , I may iustly say I was sore thrust at , that I ( so ) might fall ; But , thou o'er-threw'st my thrusters , with my stay ; as Bals quite breake , throwne hard against a wall . How oft haue my Sinnes sold me to thy wrath ? how often haue I fall'n , yet neuer fell ! For , in thy Mercy , which no measure hath , ( though I did passing ill ) I haue done well ! Though I gaue , that , to Nature , due to Grace , and , to my selfe , that , which belong'd to Thee ; ( Who might'st haue grac'd Thee ( then ) with my disgrace yet gau'st thou grace , not shame , eu'n then to me ! And , though the Angels fell for lesse offence , and , that proud Babel-Monarch , for the same , Yet I , as one of more preheminence , escap'd vnskarr'd , in Body , Goods and Name ! I Perils lou'd , yet perisht not therein ; by many by-wayes I found out the right : With Grace familiar was I made by Sinne : so , foild I Sinne by Sinne , and not by fight . Was euer Loue so wonne ? was euer Man so woo'd by GOD ! or can my Soule conceiue How much thy Mercies may , that so much can ! or can I thee of Loue ( deare Loue ) deceiue ! O rather of my Being quite bereaue me , and , turne me to my pristrin● Nihil-hood , Then I should , so , of but meere Loue deceiue thee ; that mak'st mine Euils doe me so much good . Burne me ( kinde LOVE ) to Nothing , that of nought thou mai'st , in Loue , make some-thing , good for thee : Of nought , thou mad'st me good ; mine Ill , I wrought : then , now , of nought , good make me euer be . Perfect , great Master-builder of mine All , thy Worke begunne ; and let my Nothing be Apt to be-come , in Forme , materiall ; and , be conform'd to matter lou'd of Thee . Breathe on this CHAOS ( Lord ) and let thy Spirit walke on the Waters of my Humors , vaine : My Darknesse , palpable , couert to Light ; so , my Confusion shall , in Order , raigne . O'er Sinne , and Death , and darke-darke Ignorance , in datelesse Tearmes of all Eternities ; The value of thy Vertue to aduance , which , of thy selfe , aboue all Heights doth rise ! This is my Hope , which is , because thou ART Iust in thy Word , and Deede ; in All , and Part ! For Power and Grace to withstand the Flesh , the World , and the Diuell . WHen I looke vp and see the Heau'nly Spheares roule on my Time , and my Lifes Line therin , Thus say I to my Soule ; Vaine Soule thy yeares are nothing , sith thou nothing dost but sinne ? Yet art thou made eternall ( like thy Sire ) and all conceiu'st ( like him ) beneath the Sunne ; Th' art in my Whole and Parts ( like him ) intire ; and hast ( like him ) right Reason Ill to shunne ! And yet , ô yet , thou dost , but Ill withall ; so all that good thou turn'st to Euill still : Who , through Infirmitie , to Sinne dost fall , when thou stand'st highest in grace of Pow'rs good-will . Then Lord of Pow'r and Grace , with both so arme my falling Soule , that she thereby may stand Against th' Assaults of all that would her harme : for , she can foile but with thy Forces Band. Great Lord of Hostes , Iehouah , God of Pow'r , then leaue me not alone among my Foes ; But strengthen me from thy Strengths trusty Tow'r , that I , by Thee , may euer vanquish those . The Flesh the World , the Diuell , with their Bands of strong as fraudfull Foes , me still assaile ; While all my Pow'r lyes onely in thy Hands , which when I hold , I foile ; with-held , I faile ! If then thou wouldst I still should Victor be , giue me those helps that in thy hand still lye : Flesh fights not with it selfe ; but thou in me canst foile it quite , and make it Mercy cry . The World doth loue it selfe ( and , so , her Owne ) too well t'endamage eyther ; and doth charge Too strongly on me to be ouerthrowne by my small pow'r , if thou it not enlarge . And Sathan , in himselfe , is not diuided , though , in himselfe , still turbulent he be : He is too crafty , strong , and well-prouided , for me t' encounter , if thou help not me . Then ô estsoones ( againe , and still againe ) I thine assistance humbly doe inuoke ; That so I may still vanquish , so , still raigne o'er these our Foes that euer vs prouoke . So will I yeeld the glory vnto Thee , That foilst such strength by Weaknesse ; that 's by me ! The Sinner , confessing his sinne , striueth with God ( by importunitie of Prayer ) for Grace . GReat God! from whō no thought can be concea'ld sith it thou know'st ere thoght ; & searched hast All Hearts ere they , in Nature , are reueal'd , forgiue my thoughts , that giue thee but distaste . To my Confusion needes I must confesse , my thoughts and Sinne are One ; and , so , most base : And though so base they be , yet n'erthelesse oft Grace they mind ; so , Sinne presumes on Grace . Lord ! how am I deprau'd by Sinne , that can scarse thinke a thought , but I doe sinne therein ? Then blessed Lord , how canst thou chose but banne so vile a Slaue , so subiect vnto Sinne ? I must not leaue Thee thus ; no , though my Heart be well-neere Flint , I must not leaue thee so : With thee , for Grace , I le wrastle ere we part , then let me finde it in mine Ouer-throw . And if such Sinne thou dost forgiue by Grace , and that where much is pardon'd , Loue is much , My Loue shall ouer-fill all Time and Place ; such is my Sinne , my Loue shall then be such ! Deny me not ( deare Lord ) for I will take no nay of thee ; no ; thou dost me inuite , Being heauy laden , to thee ; , ô then make me free there-from , lest it doe quell me quite . And learne me ( Lord ) to woo thee for thy Grace ; and winne it , by my wooing , to relieue me ; Thou canst soone lighten this my heauy case ; then , thy Will 's good , with good will then , forgiue mee . Make my Heart feele , although the while it ake , some Signe of Grace , that thereby I may know Thou lou'st such wooers as no nay will take ; and Wrastlers such , as will not let thee goe ! Though speake I cannot as I would , my Spright stil woos thy grace with sighs , then words more deep : Thou know'st her speech , and dost therein delight ; then ô let thy kinde Answere make mee weepe . Thy Louing-kindnesse hath the pow'r to strike her dumbe with ioy ; and after make her shrill In thine applause : for , whom thou ( Lord ) dost like , thou still mak'st drunke with ioy through thy good-will ! Then if I haue found Fauour in thy sight , or els wilt giue me any hope of Grace , Make druncke my Soule with thy sweet loues-delight , and let her so ( ioy-rauisht ) thee embrace . I sue to thee , for that I needes must haue ; I cannot be without It , sith within It 's all mine All : then , It I still will craue , vntill by ceasely begging it I winne : Then , grant me grace from Sinne me still to free , Else , by thy grace , I le cry for 't still to thee . The Sinner confessing he can neyther will , thinke , nor doe any good thing without Gods preuenting and assisting Grace , importunes the same . O Thou that from the Bottome of Not-being didst raise me to BEE thus , a MAN , like Thee ; And , ere I WAS , through thy diuine Fore-seeing , didst more then see what would become of me ; Giue , giue me leaue ( thou God of endlesse Grace ) to enterplead with Thee without thine ire : Why AM I , if thou turn'st from me thy Face , sith so a Brand I am but for Hell-Fire ? I could not choose but Be when thou would'st haue me ; for how could nothing crosse Almightinesse ? And now I Am am lost , vnlesse thou saue me ; but , none thou sau'st that still thy Will transgresse . Nor , can I doe thy Will , without thou wilt ; and if thou wilt , thy Will no Pow'r can crosse , Much lesse my Weaknesse ; then , if I be spilt , it seemes thy Will , although my blame and losse . And yet thou sai'st , thou wilt no Sinners Death ; thy Word is Truth it selfe ; then , if thou would'st That I should liue , ô let me spend my Breath as those whom thou , by Grace , from sin with-hold'st . So in thy Will ( which no Pow'r e'er impugnes ) consists mine euerlasting Weale or Woe : Then , not to me , so much as thee belongs to saue me from eternall ouerthrow . I can but Will ; but , well I cannot Will , if thou first will it not ; nor euer shall : Then , will it first ; for , I can will but Ill without thy Grace ; so , Grace doth all in All. I cannot thinke , then much lesse can I doe ought pleasing thee , without thy Grace first got : And yet to doe it , still thou me dost woo ; which , yet , I cannot , if thou doe it not : For , looke what good I doe , it is not I but thou that dost it in and by me still : Then still I can doe all things in and by thee ( Lord of Pow'r ) agreeing with thy Will. O then incline my Will thy Will to doe ; and giue me Pow'r , with Will , else Will will faile : Will thou but this , then me thou need'st not woo , because thy Will with mine must needes pr●uaile ! So , shall there be but one Will twixt vs two : Graunt this ( deare Lord ) for this I thee doe woo . The Sinner because of the darknesse of his vnderstanding , confesseth his inabilitie to come to the knowledge of Gods will by his Word ; and desireth to be holp and enlightened by Gods spirit therin . THou hast commanded ( Lord ) in eu'ry Want , that Man , thy Creature , still should call on thee ; And thou his iust desires hast said to grant , then now ( ô now ) thy Promise keepe with mee : For now , eu'n from the Bottome of the Deepe , I cry to thee that art all Heights aboue ; I , crying , call ; or rather , calling , weepe for what I want ; that is , thy Grace , and Loue. Then , as thou art still soothfast , grant them me that by them still I may thy Heasts performe ; Then if thou would'st I should obedient be , let Loue and Grace my will to thine conforme . Lo , I entend , and by thy holy Grace will still contend , thy holy Will to doe ; Then through the luster of thy brightest Face , shew it , that I may know , and doe it too . Giue that which thou hast giu'n me Pow'r to craue , and Promise to obtaine ; thy guiding Spirit : Thou still dost tender that which I would haue ; yet cannot take it , if I lacke thy light . A Chaos ( Lord ) of Darknesse still I am , without th'inlightning Spirit still moue thereon ; Then let thy Spirit with light so cleare the same , that it may be an Heau'n for thee alone . Vnseele mine Eyes , that long thy Light to see ; for , they are blinded with black Ignorance : Then , Light of Lights , to Heau'n direct thou me the rightest way with thy bright Countenance . Men are of various mindes about this Way ; some this , some say that way the way doth lie : And to it Scripture ( Truths right Rule ) doe lay ; but Truth ne'er lay in such diuersitie . For , Truth is one , but these are manifold ; then lead me in this way , else stray I shall : Incline my Will this rightest way to hold ( how euer strait ) and in it neuer fall . O trade me in thy Paths , I begge of thee with all the forces of my minde and mouth ; And when I step awry , straight shew it me by inspiration of thy Spirit of Truth . If in thy Word I looke for help herein from all Presumption keepe my priuate Spright : For , many Doctors so deceiu'd haue beene ; then make my Soule still see , and take the right . Thy Word 's a Lanthorne to direct their steps , that are as humble , as intelligent : Yet oft the Wise thy meaning ouer-leapes , while it 's reuealed to the innocent . Thou spak'st therein to all Capacities , and lispst to Babes , to make them know thy minde : Yet if thou guide them not , and ope their eyes , the Wonders of thy Law they cannot finde . Thy Will then ( shewne and hidden in thy Word ) is hid , though shewne , from those not prompt by thee : Though Camels there may swim , and Gnats may ford , yet both may drowne , if ( there ) too bold they be . In shallow'st places , there , great Clarkes haue suncke into the depth of Heresie , and drew Whole Nations after them ; yea , made Kings drunke therewith , while they Beleeuers-right pursue . So then , as none could euer see the Sunne but by the Sunne ; so , none can rightly see Thee in thy Word , but by reflexion of that pure Light of Lights that comes from thee ! If so , then light me in that Light ( thy Word ) sith thou art Light of lights ; else may mine Eyes Be daz'led , and ( so ) drowne me in each Ford of those pure Riuers of thy Paradise . Thy Word is Truth ; but those it doth misguide that know not well thy Language , nor will know ; Sith they will learne but of them - selues and Pride ; so , not thy Word , but they are erring so . None can be sau'd without they doe thy Will , which none can doe , vnlesse the same they know : And none can know it , much lesse it fulfill , if it , by speciall grace , thou doe not show . Then , if thou wilt that I shall saued be , ( for thou wilt no mans Death that seekes thy face ) Let me be taught to know thy Will by thee ; and made to doe it by thy Pow'r and Grace : So shall I finde what I am seeking still , To know Thee well , and well to doe thy Will. An Inuocation against vse of offending , or bad Custome . DEare Lord ! while I bethinke me of the Ils that me surround ; and waigh the Woes I feele Through mine owne fault ( which me with Sorrow ( fils ) from Life to Death I ready am to reele . The Sunne of my Care-clouded life hath past his full Meridian ; and , doth now decline To Seas of griefes , where Age doth sincke at last ; and , at each breath , Death seekes it to define . Vse of offending , in my passed Dayes , doth passe my strēgth to change , thogh faine I wold Custome ( to Nature turn'd ) my Nature swayes ; and of my selfe , the while , I haue no hold . Yet , if , I dye ere so bad vse I leaue , my life must leaue me hopelesse at my death ; For , what I giue to GOD I shall receiue ; and , as I spend , so shall I yeeld my Breath . I minde to mend ; but still procrastinate ; for , my Familiar , Sinne , is loth to part ; And doth my halfe-dead body animate to vse her still ; so , wounds , and heales my Heart . But sith I am not sure to breath once more , and that my life and death are well-neere met , And Death t'eternall Weale or woe 's the Doore , why sinne I now , my lifes Sunne neere is set ? What is in Sinne , that it should so be witch ? A bitter-sweete ( if Sweete it be ) and makes The Body glad , but still the Soule to grutch ; and eu'n from life the vitall-vertue takes . The wisest yet , that euer breath'd this Aire of Humane Race , well tride it to be so , Whose equall Wealth and Wisedome did repaire to all in Nature , but this Sweete to know . And yet he found the Sow'r excell'd the Sweet : the Sweet but short , the Sow'r surmounting Time : Wee want his Meanes , his high Delights to meete ; yet hazard we our soules to them to climbe ! Lord , make me wise by his experience , who , in great wealth and Wisedome , plaid the Foole : And for meere Folly was at huge expence ; then , let his follies me still wisely schoole . Yea , let me learne of Him that all doth teach ; of whom the wisest learne Sinnes snares to shunne ; He was a King , and Preacher ; and did preach that All is vanitie beneath the Sunne . If all be vaine beneath , and true he sayes , let me aboue the Sunne seeke true delight ; Which I shall finde by walking in thy Wayes ▪ so thou ( deare Lord ) consort me with thy Spright . O then consort me so , and with his pow'r enable me all lets to ouer-runne ; Let me not stay one Minute of an How'r to ioy in any thing beneath the Sunne . But in thy Sunne of Iustice let me ioy , which fils the Heau'ns and Earth with purest light : Then , let all other ioyes my soule annoy , that so in him I may alone delight : Thou canst doe this ; then doubt I not thy Will , Which still is good , then my good-will fulfill . The Sinner refers his Will to Gods will in all things ▪ desiring helpe for perseuerance therein . DEare Lord , and God , true Louer of my Soule , in my desires , I wholy doe resigne vnto thy blessed Will this Will of mine To forme , reforme , direct , and still controule . And as my Soule my body moues alone without whose motion it would still be still : so let thy Sp'rit still moue my soule and will. Else , let them haue no motion of their owne . Let me forsake my selfe for thy deare sake ; yea , truely hate my selfe for loue of thee , and let no pleasures please or profit me , If thou ( deare Lord ) at them displeasure take . I offer vnto thee mine All , and more ( had I much more than All ) to mortifie my senses and affections ; that thereby I may ( so mortifide ) liue euermore . My selfe I ( likewise ) offer to the lack of sensible deuotion , grace , and loue , so it may humble me , and make me proue Thy might the more in my sinnes vtter wracke . I offer ( too ) my selfe , with prompt desire , t' indure all losse , in name , fame , goods , and friends , all pleasure , paine , and what else flesh offends , That by their waight , my sp'rit may mount the higher . In summe ; I offer vp my selfe aboue my selfe , to all mischance that can befall saue sinne alone ; yet , if thy goodnesse shall Put me in Hell , I le brooke it for thy Loue. And though it be impossible for Flesh to suffer it ; yet , should my Will be prest , If thou would'st haue it so , in Hell to rest ; For Loue in quenchlesse flames can sense refresh . Then loue me ( Lord ) and still my loue enflame ; then put me where thou wilt , I le there abide without repining , ire , or ghostly pride , With Martyrs , that , in torments , laud thy Name . But sith by reason of my Flesh ( too fraile ) I cannot be so prompt these paines to brooke ; then , help me ( Lord ) but with a louing looke , And ouer Death and Hell I shall preuaile . Looke kindly on me then ( deare Lord ) and so Our Wils shall still be one in weale and woe . The Sinner desires fruition of the Deitie ; and that his Soule should be euer the habitation thereof . ETernall LORD , who art more prompt to heare then Faith to pray ; of that great grace of thine Regard the Boone I aske in Loue and Feare ; and to mine humble suite thine eares incline . Grant me fruition of thy DEITIE that all my Soule may so be satisfied ; For lesse then that can her not satisfie , though all els ( boundlesse ) were still amplifide ! Those gifts and graces that thy Grace may moue t' inhabit my poore Soule , vouchsafe thou me : That with thy gifts thy grace may be in Loue ; and loue my Soule for harbring them , and thee . But , in those gifts O let her be repos'd none outherwise then as they fashion her To harbor Thee ; ( that 's , make her well dispos'd ) els let her rest be restlesse euer there . My Sonne ( saith thou , deare Lord ) giue me thy heart , ô small request ! my Heart , Lord ! what is it But one poore bit of wormes-meate ? can no Part of me delight thee , but so vile a bit ? Why , thou didst wholy giue thy selfe to me : shall I returne thee then but that alone ? O t is ( sweet Sauiour ) most vnworthy Thee ; for which ( thou know'st ) it's , meekly , wo-begon ▪ Yet gladly would I giue it ; but , it is so small , vncleane , vnquiet , and accurst , That I doe feare to giue it so amisse , sith , of all gifts , it 's worser than the worst . Yet take it ( Lord of Loue ) it is thine owne , how e'er I haue abus'd it ; make it such As thou wouldst haue it ; let it still be knowne fit for thy Stampe , vpon thy Trials Touch. O glorious King , what grace is 't to our Hearts to be accepted , and desir'd of thee ? Then take my Heart , yea , all mine other parts ; for they are safe in thee , but lost in me . And is this all thy gaine ( ô kindest Lord ? ) and is this all our gift , one wretched Heart ? And for the same dost thou thy selfe afford ? then take it to thee ( Lord ) through ioy , or smart . For , nothing can I giue thee , but the same augments my gaine and glory endlesly : Then take it wholy , set me all on flame to melt me into thee by Charitie ! For , were my Heart as great as is the Heau'n that all includes ; and , that past price it were , It should to thee ( desiring it ) be giu'n , sith , I haue thee for it , who hast no Peere . Then , World be silent , call it not againe ; Flesh be as still , permit it still to goe ; And Diuell striue not ; for , it is in vaine ; my God will haue it , then it shall be so . Vade , vade ; for , all you cannot fill my Heart , my God alone can doe it ; and He must Haue it to fill : then from me all depart , that seeke to fill it but with winde or dust . And sole Sufficer , chaine it still to Thee with Adamantine Linckes of endlesse Loue ; That through those Straites which thou hast past for me , it may be drawne to thee , if slow it moue . Let it attend thee to the Iudgement-Hall , where thou wast doom'd to death ; and to the Hill , Whereon thou suffer'dst ; let it taste thy Gall ; and ; on thy Crosse let it be fixed still : That be'ing with thee thus plagu'd , disgrac'd & slaine , It may with thee be rais'd , and crown'd , and raigne . A soueraigne Salue against Sinne and Despaire out of S. Augustine . DEare Lord , when sinfull thoughts doe me assaile to thy deare Wounds then let me hye with speed ; When burning lust against my thoughts preuaile , quench it , by minding me how long they bleede ! In all Extreames I finde no Meane so good as thy wide Wounds to keepe my Soule still whole ▪ They cannot dye that drown'd are in thy bloud ; for , that is Aqua vitae to the Soule ! Thy Death is my desert ; then doe I not lacke merits ; sith thy Death destroyes my Sinne : Thy Mercy is my merit ; and , my Lot is glories Crowne , through my firme hope therein : For , if thy grace be great ; then is it cleare my glory shall be great : and , the more pow'r Thou hast to saue , the lesse I ruine feare : for , Grace abounding , makes Loues hope secure . Yet I acknowledge mine iniquities ; and , Conscience , with her thousand Witnesses , Accuse me of extreame impieties ; yet will I hope of mercy ne'erthelesse : For , where Sinne hath abounded , there hath grace abounded more ; so , loue enflaming in The grieu'd delinquent : who doth enterlace sweete teares of Ioy , with bitter Teares for Sinne. For , who dispaires , God , vtterly denyes ; deny his Attributes , himselfe deny : His Iustice we prouoke ; his mercies rise but from him - selfe , who is selfe - Clemencie ! Then , let my thoughts still murmure while they will , and aske , why such a Sinner grace should seeke ? Yet in firme hope I will continue still , sith he hath promised that cannot breake . Who can doe what he will ; and he will doe what he hath sworne : which is ; he will make whole The broken Heart for sinne , and grace it too ; yea , help contrition in the willing Soule . My Sinnes ( though great ) then , me no whit dismay , when his deare Death I minde : for , all my Crimes Can ne'er o'er-match his Mercies , if I pray for grace , to hope in his sure help betimes . His Thorny Crowne , and Nayl●s , that him transpierc'd assures my hope that He and I are One : Which haue his Iudgemeuts gainst my sinnes reuerst , if I but grieue for what I haue misdone . Longius hath clear'd the sad coast to his Heart with his fell Speare ; that ( kinde to me ) made way : There rest I now in Ioy and ioyfull smart , of safety sure , while there , in hope , I stay . Vpon the Crosse he doth his Armes extend , t' embrace the Contrite : then , betweene those armes , Deuoutly will I throw me till mine end ; so , safe I shall be there , from foes , and harmes . He bow'd his Head , before Death brake his Heart , to kisse his Louers with the kisse of Peace ; Then , still I le kisse him : so , shall I depart in peace to him that is my Sinnes release . Sweet Christ embrace me then , and kisse me till I dye to liue , to clip and kisse thee still . The crazed Soule being almost in dispaire , desireth Grace to hope in Gods mercy . LOrd , in thy Loue , let me be none of them that loue but in a Calme ; a time beleeue ; But when a Storme ariseth , doe blaspheme ; and with infernall S'prits , thy Sp'rit doe grieue . Thus what I need , I craue ; but what I feare thou know'st ( deare Lord : ) I feare I am too bold To seeke thy loue , because I doe appeare no correspondence with thy loue to hold : For , he that merits hate ( Lord ) how can he straight looke for loue ? & who hath shame deseru'd Seeke for immortall glory ? or , to be from shame and paine , which he deserues , preseru'd ? He moueth but his Iudge to iustest wrath that , being faulty , lookes he him should cleare , Without meete satisfaction for the scath which he hath done ; all these my hopes doe feare . For , he that is to shame and death condemn'd small reason hath to looke for high'st respect ; If but his death by grace might be redeem'd , in sense , it should be all he could expect . But why , ô why , doe I now call to minde what I haue done , to make my feares more rife ? Death I deserue ; yet seeke I life to finde , that liue but to offend the Lord of life . Can I still vexe my Iudge , yet looke for grace ? and still prouoke my King , yet seeke his loue ? Nay , still but buffet my sweete Iesus face , and yet expect he should my Iesus proue ? Alas ! how should he ? much lesse how can I such fauour seeke , that so his Fauour wrongs ? Can wrong expect such right , in equitie ? ô no : for , vengeance to the same belongs ! Vengeance belongs to wrongs so great , so plaine , as so to wrong a MAIESTIE so great ! Then Feare perswades me I seeke grace in vaine ; yet Grace makes hope some Fauour to intreat . I haue neglected to fore-see the woes that follow sinne , and now would grace for-goe : I oft haue taken mortall ouerthrowes , yet scarse haue felt a mortall ouerthrow . I haue encreast my scars that feared not to adde still sinne to sinne , and graue to light : Fresh Wounds haue opened those before I got , to make the Cure most hard , or curelesse quite . And what the Ba●mes of Grace had clos'd before , I , through the itch of sinne , haue opened wide : Which , through corruption , now are growne so sore that scarse I can so sore a Cure abide . The Skinne , which growing ouer , hid my Wounds through breaking out of the corruption , gape ; For , sinne the grace once granted quite confounds : so that I feare I hardly can escape . For , if the righteous man shall perish in his sinne committed : how much more then shall Repentant sinners turning eft to sinne ? the thought whereof more grieues me then my fall . The newly dead , Christ quickly rais'd to life ; but he must groane in spirit , weepe , cry and pray , Yer Lazarus be rais'd : for , mortall strife Death made with life , to leaue so long a Prey : So , it is in Regeneration ; for , the lesse the Soule 's defil'd with sinnes delight , And the more she the least sinne doth abhorre ; the lesse winde of Gods Sp'rit reuiues that sp'rit , What shall I doe ? I can but sinne ( deare Lord ) if so ; thou canst but plague , yea , plague with Death : Sith still I sinne then , in thought , deed , and word , cut off my sinne , or els abridge my breath : For , Breath it is that kindles sinne in me with blowing at the coales of damn'd desires ; These , through my banefull breath , still raging be ; and quite consume the grace that me inspires . Then , if I did not breathe , I should not sinne ; yet should I loose my breath e'er sinne bewaile I by that losse should but damnation winne : then , let me rue my faults yer Breath doth faile : But , if thou wilt that I should longer liue , Let me no longer sinne , or longer grieue . A desire of the louing Soule , of God , to be kissed with the kisse of Peace . KIsse me , ô kisse me , with Loues honyed Kisse , ô dearest Loue , and sweet'st-Heart of my Soule : Whose loue is like pure Wine that cordiall is ; & doth sowre cares , with Comforts sweet , controle Thy Name is like to sweet suffused Balme ; which makes chast Soules eu'n sick for loue of thee : Whose Passions ( striuing in a blessed calme on Sorrowes Seas ) to thee still rowling be . Draw me ( deare Loue ) then , after thee I le runne vpon the sent of thy diuine Perfumes : My Loue 's impatient ( since it first begunne ) of this delay , which quite my Soule consumes : Then , ô , delay no more to marry mee ; But wed my Soule that pines for loue of Thee . Sith all Gods Creatures are against those that are against GOD , in action , the Sinner desireth to be in vnitie with him . AS when a Master hath most mortall Foes , his Seruants , and men , made by him , will be Most persecuting Enemies to those , till with their Lord and Master they agree . So , all thy Creatures ( Lord ) doe rise in Armes against great Sinners ( if impenitent ) To plague them with all kinde of killing harmes , till they be ruin'd quite , or made repent . But being one with Thee , our Enemies shall seeke our Fauour , and themselues submit : For , when they see our Succour's in the Skies , they will adore vs , and acknowledge it : Then make me ( Lord ) my foes straight put to flight , By being one with Thee , for whom they fight . The Sinner desireth to haue the bent of his Will , made appliable to Gods. THe Way to Heau'n ( that truest Port of Peace ) is straite and straight vntill at Hell we be : Where , on the right hand then , we turne with ease ; for , when we passe that Point ; then , well are wee . But , being straite , but few that Way doe wend ; and being straight , the crooked misse it still : Then , to this Port , but few their course doe bend , sith most are crooked ; euer bent to Ill. Then , make vs straight ( deare Lord ) with handling straite ; or , bring vs to thy bent with other Art ; Wee know thine vpright Compasse hath the sleight to bow vs to the bending of thy Heart : That we may shoote ( and still may winners proue ) The Shafts of our Indeauours at thy Loue. The Sinner inueighes against his fleshes frailtie , desiring God to strengthen it with his pow'r , and Grace . VIle Flesh , why dost thou so my Spirit impugne , That still the Sonne of Righteousnesse I wrong who di'd to make you liue ? No Moment breathe I , but I breathe out Sinne That ends with shame , where Sorrow doth beginne , which makes me glad to grieue . In thee fraile Flesh , I feele my bloud to boyle With heate of such desires as make the Soile but Sinne , in graine , to beare . My Spirits ( that in that Bloud doe swim with paine , Yet floate they , sith false pleasures them sustaine ) are neere the wracke I feare . I feare the Rocke of refuge to the Iust : For , how , in Truth , should Treason put her trust ? Then , truthlesse Traitor , I May iustly feare , that Grace , in Iustice , will My gracelesse Soule , for Fleshes Treasons , spill , which makes me ( liuing ) dye . I liuing dye , not as one mortifide To sinne ; wherein , as dead , aliue , I bide ; The more my griefe and blame : I faine would dye to liue ; but , Flesh doth draw My Life to Death , sith I obserue the Law of Sinne , which is my shame . O thou , whom Iacob wrastled with a space , Strengthen my Faith to wrastle with thy Grace , that it may set me goe ( Although it lame my Loynes , and crack my Thighes , Wherein strong Sinne still domineering lyes ) into thy Weale through Woe . The Sinner recounting his manifold transgressions , and finding himselfe thereby in danger of perdition , desireth Grace , through a world of sorrowes , to auoid both Sinne , and damnation . MY Soule ( still faint in doing well : and strong in working ill ) now , now thy selfe retire From outward Cares : or else amidst their throng poure out thy Sorrowes to thy heau'nly Sire . Thy scatter'd thoughts ( in Fancies lewd , as light ) gather together ; and with all thy Pow'rs , ( Vnited ) shew thy sinne and cursed plight ; sith meeke Confession grace , for sinne procures . Weighing my deeds , I finde too light they be ; yet , more then I can beare ; nay , me they quell : So , am farre lighter , if thou ballance me ; and yet my lightnesse weighes me downe to Hell ! Shame shall not let me ( though it boile my Bloud ) t' vnfold the foule diseases of my Soule To him , that can and will ( so ) doe me good ; and , make her Angell-faire , though ougly-foule . My Time then , to my shame I must confesse , ( vnto my Soules Physitian , grace to winne ) Hath all in sinne beene spent ; yet , ne'erthelesse , too short I thought it for my shortest sinne ! If I , at any time , did seeming-good t' was but corrupt , or counterfaite at least : And , so , t' was but well done in likelihood , being but a sinne well-coulored , at best . My deeds with ill haue ( then ) depraued bin , or else of good depriu'd ; so , both accurst : And , if my best be nought but cloaked sinne ; what are my worst , but worse than what is worst ! Not for committing odious sinnes in act , but for omitting deedes of Charitie ; ( Which Iustice , at her Iudgement , will exact ) the Reprobate are damn'd ; and , so , may I : For , t is but halfe the duty of my whole to doe no ill ; but , still , I good should doe With all the care and forces of my Soule ; else ill I may be doom'd ; and , damned too . God gaue me life , but for his Seruice ; than I must account how I each moment spend ; And , sinn'd I not ; yet , sith I am a Man that doth no good , it 's damned in the end . And , were my deeds vnited , and ( withall ) clear'd from pollution , and from all defect , Yet are they nought to gifts meere corporall , which I haue had , and yet haue , in effect . So that too like an idle beast I am , that still deuoureth more then he doth earne ; And lookes for food ere he deserues the same ; nor , doth the giuers gifts , from Fates discerne . O! out vpon me ( most vngratefull beast abusing Reason , as if I had it not ) What shall I say ( deare Lord ) I must , at least , confesse I haue thy goodnesse most forgot . O! with what Marble Eyes , or flintie Front shall I the glory of thy presence brooke , Who art both Iudge ( of me to take account ) and Witnesse too , as witnesse will thy Booke ! And yet ( alas ! ) lesse pow'r I haue to shunne thy presence , then haue heart the same t' abide ; For , thou art all in All : then , can I runne from thee , when thou dost compasse all , beside ! Yet haue I bin ( but in Ciuilitie ) more loath t' offend my meanest mortall Friend , Then ( in good Conscience ) so great maiestie that filleth All , and All doth comprehend ! And haue ( I shame to say 't ) more sham'd to sinne in sight of men , then in thy dread aspect : My Soule is blinde ; so , saw thee not within : and mortall Eyes , but mortall things respect . And for the Graces which thou gau'st to mee , to glorifie the Giuer , I ( vile wretch ) Haue to my selfe the glory tane from thee : so , with thy gifts , I doe thee still impeach . I haue not lou'd thee for thy mercy ; nor , haue fear'd thee for thy Iustice : yea , thy might ( Though most almighty ) I did most abhorre when it , in Iustice , on me ( wretch ) did light . Thou hast to me reueal'd thy Will ; but looke how often I haue glost it with mine owne , ( Were it within , or else without thy Booke ) so oft hath thine , by mine , bin ouerthrowne . And if , I reckon right betweene thy Law and mine obseruance ; ( though I feare thy Rod ) I must confesse neere Dauids foole I draw , that said in Soule ( at least ) There is no God. I haue obserued nought but what my sense , ( depraued sense ) being Ill , did hold for good ; Which Ill ( with all the Stormes of foule Offence ) still wrought vpon the Current of my Bloud . Mine Eyes , are sharpe , as eager , still to pry into mens worst parts rather than their best ; And wrench that little much , that is awry ; and , what 's most right , to make it lesse , at least . Apt to detract from others ; and exact praise to my selfe from others : this is it That makes me enuy eu'ry witty Tract , vnlesse it be composed by my Wit. As apt ( most apt ) to giue , as take offence ; hard to be pleas'd , displeas'd too easily : As prompt to Choler , as to violence , but , fearing death ; yet ( desperate ) prest to dye ! In reasoning rash ; and yet soone ( rudely ) round to compasse Faith to falshood ( soone ) thereby : And where Truth stands , to throw her on her ground in beastly rage , vntill shee seeme to lye . False in Humilitie , and true in pride ; in iesting , rough ; and rash in censuring : To gouerne , I haue made my Heart too wide ; t' obey too straite , through griefes straite gouerning . More then the Mount Vesuuius haue I burn'd in vaine Ambitions euer-raging flame ; And , all good gifts and graces haue I turn'd to Fewell ; burning in desire of fame . Thou gau'st me gifts where of the praise I sought ; so , robb'd thee ( Lord ) of glory , and ( with speede ) I wages seeke , for that which thou hast wrought : for , for thy Workes in me , I looke for meede . More proud than Lucifer ( the Fount of Pride ) for , he , being glorious mac'e , might soone o'erweene ; But I , being bred of but Slime-putrifide , vsurpt thy praise ; so , much more proud haue beene . Wherein , if thou hast crost me , I haue storm'd worse than that Hell-hound : for , he fell to Hell ; Then easily might fume , being so enorm'd ; but I on Earth , at ease , against thee swell . The lightest pleasures make me ( lighter ) doate : but , easiest paines doe presse me downe to death : If Fates but smile , in pleasures Seas I floate ; and if but frowne , it eu'n expires my breath . I foulest Vices , vnder vertuous Names , doe patronize : as , extreame Crueltie , For vpright Iustice ; Loue of lightest Dames , for perfect Zeale ; Selfe-●oue , for Charitie : Craft , for true Wisedome ; Pride , for Cleanlinesse ; Basenesse , for Meeknesse ; Doubt , for Holy Feare ; Meere Cowardize , for discreet Warinesse ; R●shn●sse , for Manhood ; Couetize , for Care. And so of others ( in none other sort ) I vaunt their vice , with vertuous tearmes inuolu'd ; And haue an eye but onely to Report while I , but right to seeme , am wrong resolu'd . All good Instructions fall into my Soule , as Aprill-showres into the Sea doe fall ; Whose swelling surges doe their drops controule ; and euer turne their sweetnesse into Gall. When I haue beene reprou'd for ought vnright , I would deny , excuse , or it defend : Or else reproch my iust reprouers straight ; and so , without offence , would faine offend . If I haue vow'd deuotion ; and ( withall ) haue taskt my selfe with holy Exercise ; I soone infring'd it ( were it ne'er so small ) so , loath'd I Manna , Leekes to gurmandize . And looke how one that taketh fire in hand , but out of hand straight thowes it ; cannot hold The heate thereof ; so , I doe vnderstand but small effect of Prayer made so cold . As Cates vnchewed , haue they past from me without concoction , not without annoy ; For , when I thinke they went away so free , my Soule is sicke with griefe , and grieu'd with ioy . Thus lose I still my time in going on , and comming off from eu'ry good attempt : So , purpose without prosecution , leaues my best actions ( idle ) in contempt . With but beginnings haue I worne my dayes ; and oft haue fail'd , but in the meere assay : Yet , for but failing , haue I lookt for praise ; ( ô shame ! ) sith I good motions did obey . I ( likewise ) haue beene light in my Dsiere ; now this , now that , and then the other face ( Sparkes of thy beauty ) set my Heart on fire with Beauties grace to sinne , for want of grace . So , could not walke abroad , but that ( anon ) my wandring sight would giue thy sight offence ; For , eu'ry sparkling Eye mine lighted on , through mine , straight kindled my Concupiscence . For , this ( too oft ) I haue abus'd the Muse thou gau'st me , but to woo thee , for thy Loue ; But I ( lewde Louer ) did her Measures vse to mete fraile motions , strongly , so , to moue . Thus Beauty ( that should make me loue thee more ) I made the wrest , to rend my loue from thee : So , both with mine , and others gifts , did gore the Giuers heart , erst split for loue of me . And if I made ( as seldome so I did ) a Cou'nant with mine Eye that it should gaze No more on Beauty ; yet ( the more forbid ) the more , thereby , it glanc'd on Beauties Blaze . Alas ! how brutish haue I bin the while , that ( like a Beast ) haue swayed beene by sense ; And made my Reason obey Affections vile , repugnant to mine owne Intelligence ! O life ( dead life , depriu'd of life of grace ) how stirr'st thou so , without that vitall pow'r ? Thou art too proud , and yet too beastly base : at highest height but like a fading Flowre . O Lord of life , a death it is to mee to minde my life so drown'd in deadly sinne ! Which though it Be , and moue , and liue in Thee ; yet ( as without thee ) it hath curs●d bin : For , I haue made no scruple to offend ; but with such boldnesse haue I sinn'd as it Had beene a meane but to a blessed end ; so , seem'd to sinne with Will , enforc'd by Wit ! Nay , should I bring my best deeds to thy Test , they 'le proue but drosse of m●e●e Hy●ocrisie ; Or Vice in Vertues habit , at the best , which is too bad for bas●st Pietie . With Iacobs voyce , and Esaus hands I held my Soule to sinne , and good opinion too : The wicked ( so ) the World , at will , doe weild ; which faine I would , but that I cannot doe . The World 's t'vnweildy for my feeble gripe ; it still fals from me sith I cannot hold ; And , at each fall , thou giu'st me ( Lord ) a stripe , sith , though I cannot weild it yet I would . Yea , would much rather then my wilde affects , or ought that holy men doe take in hand : For , my best doings , my iust doubt suspects , sith they in doubt of doing ill doe stand . How tedious Time hath seem'd when I haue praid ! how wearisome the practise ! tir'd how soone ! How much distracted ! and how well apaid when it was done , though done ere well begunne ! So was I like but one of Pilates Slaues , that croucht to thee ( ô Christ ) but to offend : So my best actions are but holy braues , that haue more shew then strength to foile the Feend . Haue I done good to any ? if I haue , t' was but of debt ; and though it were but lent , I prizde it more , and bragd of what I gaue ; so , all my good was done with ill intent . Haue I discours'd of things that heauenly were ? In curious Questions ( lightly it was done : As where Heau'n stands ? and Hell ( it locall ) where ? not how to come to Heau'n , and Hell to shunne . I haue beene prompt to learne , what Wisedome would abhorre to teach ; and I haue Eares and Eyes To heare and see , but what she scornes t' vnfold ; for , I attend to nothing that is wise , What shall I say ( that haue so much to say ; for , endlesle plaint holds endlesse Sinne in chase ) My first , was filth ; my progresse , Sinne ; my stay , is double death , without Gods treble grace . O Sinne ( the Soules death ; and , of Death , the life ) I would not shunne thee , when ( at first ) I might ; And now I cannot without endlesse strife ; then , help me Grace , with strong sinne still to fight . My Soule is tir'd with vanitie and Sinne ; I loath to liue ; and yet I feare to dye : Then ( wretch ) what should I doe but now beginne to dye to liue , sith liuing-death is nye ! But , ah ( alas ) could I weepe endlesly , it were but meete mine endlesse sinnes to cleare : But though I should lament them ceaselesly in longest mortall life , too short it were . Yet , will I not dispaire ; no , God forbid : seau'n times a day , the iustest men doe fall : And though , from men , the fall and bruise be hid , yet , thou dost see them both , who seest All. At all houres no man's wise : for , sober Noah , may be oe'er-come with Wine : stout Abraham too Through terror lye : Meeke Moses may destroy th' Egyptian in his ire ; and , so , misdo . Religious Ioseph , irreligiously sweare by the life of Pharaoh ( faith to binde ) Gods Darling Dauid , hide Adultery with murther of his Seruant , true as kinde . Wise Salomon , the veriest Foole became , when Pharos Daughter , and his Pagan - wiues , ( Through grosse Idolatrie ) made him defame Gods truth : so Blots , the clear'st haue in their liues . Saints , so are call'd ; as eu'ry thing is nam'd of whatsoe'er therein most worthy is : As Golden-mines are stiled so , though fram'd more full of Drosse then Golden - rarities . And so the best men , though inherent Vice may ouer-weigh their Vertue ; yet , we see , Th' are called vertuous by their Vertues price , that doth out-price the Vice , though more it be . Then giue me courage ( Lord ) t' aduance my Hope to thy great mercy ( that doth equall thee ) And let All , couerd with the Heau'nly Cope , for thy deare Loue , be but as Doung to mee . Vaine pleasures packe , Preferments-vaine , auaunt , that would but make me quite forget to dye ; My Soule , ye Syrens , doe no more enchaunt : for , if you doe , I le breake your strongest Tye. And all my ioy shall now but be in griefe ▪ griefe for the Ioy which I conceiu'd in sinne : So , nought but dying shall be my reliefe : for , life well lost , immortall life doth winne . Lord , giue me strength to offer violence to wicked Custome , till I breake it quite : And , still to striue with Nature , Sinne and Sense , vntill they striue no more in Peace nor fight . And , for my Sinnes , come all annoy●s on me in royall-armies till you blow me vp . Aboue the ●unne ; and all dispights that be fall fre●ly on me from my Sauiours Cup. Scorne me , proud World , still looke on me ascance ; deride me , Diuell , plague me , doe thy worst : Nay ( Lord ) from me conceale thy Countenance ; so thou , in fine , wilt blesse me so accurst . And , for I haue despis'd thee ( Lord of All ) let all that Is , despise me till I dye ; Nay , let disgrace , with death , vpon me fall ; so I may rise to grace , and life thereby . O thou , my cursed Nature , swolne with Pride , swell not against contempt ( though ne'er so vile ) Take all and more , if more can be beside contempt of all ; and , ioy therein the while . For , being nothing , of my selfe , but Sinne ; or else ( besides that But ) I Nothing am ; How can or sinne , or Nothing , Glory winne but through a World of woe , contempt , and shame ? Skill , will , and pow'r then giue me ( Lord ) to breake this head-strong Iade , my Flesh ; and , make it glad To beare a World of woe ; to make it meeke ; and , but for falling vnder it , be sad . I am thy Work● , then , worke thy Will in mee ; And , make my Carriage ( Lord ) from falling●ree ●ree . That the vertuous haue the Promises of this life , as well as of that to come . THy Friends ( deare Lord ) are too much honored ; thy Persecutor to thee reconcil'd , Had Sacrifices to him tendered : so much the World is forc'd t' adore thy Childe ! The People freely their possessions sell , to lay the Price at thine Ap●stles feete : To whom the worst of Ils doe fall out well ; and Gall it selfe , to them made Sugar-sweet ! Then , what but Gall it selfe will Honey seeke besides the Honey of thy sweetest Loue ? For , who are more exalted then the meeke , sith Heau'n and Earth of them doe most approue ? Then , if thou make me meeke , thou mak'st me more , Then Heau'n and Earth : for , both will me adore . For perfect Vnion with God , and Grace to shunne all Lets that may hinder it . WHen I ( sweet Sauiour ) minde the Orison thou mad'st thy Maundy-night ( with strong effect When as thou praid'st for perfect vnion betweene thy Father , thee , and thine elect . I am thereby encouraged to pray , that in that Vnion ( though too base I be ) I may b'included , if so be I may ( being so vile ) so inward be with thee . Which can be hardly ( if at all it can ) without my Soule forsake the Flesh and Fiend And all besides thee , be it Angell , Man , or what soe'er , for Thee her onely END ! But , this shee cannot doe without thy Grace , thy grace preuenting , and assisting both : Then grace her so that she may thee embrace ; and in respect of thee , all others lothe . By that deare vnexampled Loue that made thee hang all naked on the Crosse , vouchsafe That I may liue with thee , as nought I had besides : though I the World besides , should haue . And if it may be ( Lord ) ô let me liue without the least Sinne : for , the least that is Doth let our Vnion , and doth euer striue to seuer me for euer from thy Blisse . Then , grant that I my body so may keepe from all transgr●ssing , that I may not moue One Ioynt t'vnioyne vs ; but my Soule to sweepe from all Pollution , that doth let thy Loue. That , from offending , it may be as cleare , as it was made by thee ( in Thee to rest ) And though she cannot be so perfect here , yet make Her still desire the same , at least . Yea , make me will no Ioy ( for that is none ) that is not in thee : and , the Bread I eate , Let it no more delight me than a Stone , but onely , but to serue Thee , take my meate ! And , when my Palate proues some Foode too sweet , then let me thinke how much more sweet thou art , That mad'st it such ; so , make me make it meete to make me taste thy Sweetnesse in my Heart . So let me vse all Creatures , pleasing Sense , to send me to Thee , Cause of that Effect . So , in them still , taste but thine Excellence ; and , by them still , the more the same affect . Yea , let no Sweet ( of whatsoeuer kinde , that 's but created ) once my Soule allure From thee ( sweet Lord ) or from continuall minde of thy deare Sweetnesse , that all Sweetes procures . But , Loue and Meeknesse are the onely two to m●ke vs one ( ●eare Sweet ) that diuers be : Then let high'st Loue , and lowest Meeknesse too make one of tw● ; that 's , one of thee and mee . And , meeke to make me , let me euer minde , I am nought , haue nought , know nought , nought can do , And nought desire ; nor se●ke but Grace to finde to loue thee highly and be lowly too . Then make me rich in Soule and poore in spirit ; rich in good deeds , and yet most poore in thought : When I doe best , to weene I worst doe mer●● ; and , when most good , to thinke I am most nought . So , by the By-path ( that but Fooles doe finde ) of true Simplicitie , that 's iust , and free , To runne to Thee , and leaue the World behinde to thinke me mad , for running so to Thee . But let me so be still besides my selfe , and still besides the Way the World doth roame , Though it with Flowers be strowde , and pau'd 〈…〉 , yet set me flie it in my hying home . The Heau'n-rapt Saint was so himselfe beside : for , hee all eartly Dainties held as Doung ; And while , as mad , the most did him deride , he went to Thee a narrow way and long . Nay , thou thy selfe ( dear Lord that all dost schoole ) because thou didst elect this Way to goe And that reiect , attir'd wast like a Foole , and so esteem'd : then let me foole it so . But hide my life in thee ; so , shall I liue a light to all that walke in wayward moode ; For , them thou hid'st that good example giue from eu'ry Ill ; then let me giue this good . But when I giue it , let me thinke I giue the good thou gau'st : for , all good gifts are thine : So shall I rightly thinke , while ●o I liue ; and all the praise thereof to thee resigne ; So let me doe and thinke ; so shall I gaine True Vnitie with thee , in Ioy and Paine ! The Sinner in great sorrow for Sinne , relyeth on God for grace and comfort . ON thy help ( Lord ) I relye , then , poore I Perish must , if thou restraine it : O then stretch thy helping-hand , or command . That I may with speede obtaine it ; For , as one forgotten quite , out of sight , I ( forlorne ) in sorrow languish . Help , ô help me then with speede : for , I feed ( As on Bread ) on nought but Anguish ! If I sinne , I sigh therefore , and deplore That I haue in ought offended ; Yea , my Soule doth waste with woe , sith I know Sinne doth marre what Th●●s hast mended . Faine I would , then , cease to sinne , and beginne Now to liue as thou hast willed : But , if by Thee ( that didst fire that desire ) It be not , of me , fulfilled ; I , at best , but well shall will. doing ill , Then I shall for it be vexed : So shall I but sinne and grieue while I liue ; And in Conscience be perplexed . It is tedious to my Sp'rit day and night , Thus to sinne , then pine in passion : For , being staid , yet still to fall , is no small Signe of death or reprobation . Help , then help me ( Lord ) lest I doubtfull dye : Make my sorrowes passe my sinning ; That I may so cease to sinne , so to winne Better end then my beginning : For , in sinne , conceiu'd I was , so ( alas ) Sinnefull am , sith so conceiued : Then , of force , sith I am such , doe not grutch I should be to Grace receiued . With more griefe my Sinne I wound , than I found Pleasure in the sinne committing . O then let my sorrowes still sinning kill , While thy Graces vs be knitting . Blessed God then make me grieue while I liue , For my grieuing thee so blessed : Let my Teares still quench the fire of thine Ire , Till I be of Grace possessed . So shall I ( to shunne thy wrath ) tread the Path Of thy Biddings , till my dying ; Or , on winges of Loues desire still aspire To thee ; then , ô take me flying . The Sinner acknowledging repugnant desires in himselfe ; desireth to be enabled to performe his good desires . I Would be thine , and I would haue thee mine ( deare Lord ) and yet I crosse mine owne desires : For still I sinne ; then , cannot I be thine ; yet faine I would with thee be still entire . Then , I desire what my desires resist : ô strange repugnance ! would I thee enioy , And yet in that , which seuers vs , persist ? then , my desires doe my desires destroy . True ( Lord ) how euer false this seemes to be ; it false but seemes ; but , it 's too true herein : For , my poore Soule would nothing more then thee , and yet my Soule doth nothing more then sinne . Lord help me in this strange extremitie of crosse desires , which in my Soule are found ; My Will is bound to Sinne , but would be free ; then , if it would , how should my Will be bound ? Were it my Flesh alone , desir'd to sinne ( my Soule resisting ) t' were not so amisse : Such crosse - desires in thy best Saints haue bin ; but in my Soule my Sinne conceiued is . And yet shee 's barraine , gauly , and impure ; of emptinesse not emptie ; and thereby A soulelesse Soule ; so , lifelesse doth endure ; yet liues in Death , because she cannot dye . Then empt mine empty Soule ; for , Sinne doth fill with nought but vacuum her capatious thought : For , Sinne is nothing , sith thou mad'st not Ill , without whom nought was made ; then , empt this nought . For , t is that Law ( though nought ) that still rebels against both grace and natures Gouernment ; This lawlesse Law my members still compels to bowe as Sinnes vnrighteous Rule is bent . Lord , I beleeue ; yet , help mine vnbeliefe ; and well doe will ; yet , better my desire : Cure thou the Wound my Will receiu'd ( in chiefe ) through Adams Fall ; and make our Wils entire . Giue me both Will and Pow'r to doe thy Will ; and let me neither haue to crosse the same : For , when I see my Will would thine fulfill yet doth it not , I pine with griefe and shame . I cannot will aright ( but right resist ) without thy grace preuent my crooked will : And , willing well , without thy grace assist , I cannot ( for my bloud ) my will fulfill . So , thy preuenting , and assisting grace makes my Will worke : for , of my selfe , I am So fraile , by nature , and so beastly base , that my best thoghts are more then much too blame . Then let thy Grace my wayward Will preuent ; and helpe me to performe it , so preuented : Yea , make my thoughts and deedes most innocent ; else , let me ioy in nought but them lamented : Nay , make my Heart ( deare Lord ) so apt to waile That it may weepe , when I to weepe doe faile . The Sinner desireth , not to be as he is ; but , as he ought to be . TO be all nought , is nought at all to be ; and to be sinfull still , is to be nought : Yet Sinners ARE ( though dead in sinne ) we see ; as Men ARE , though they are not as thy ought . Deliuer me ( deare Lord ) from being such ; ( such being take from me that sinfull is : ) For , better nothing be , then be so much ; because so much is more then most amisse ! Then let me be , not as I am ; but what I ought to Be ; or take me as I am : Take me to Thee , and then I will be that I ought to be : thine owne in Deed and Name : For , then I am , when I am wholy thine ; But , I am not , while I am Sinnes or Mine . In respect of the breuitie and vncertaintie of mortall life ; the Sinner desires grace , in time , to prepare for Death . MY stupid Soule , now recollect thy pow'rs , & weigh in Iudgements Scales thy present state ; Thou , in thy Iaile , my Flesh , but some few howres hast now to stay , by nature , neere her date . My Pilgrimage is almost past ; ô then it thee behooues to looke with stedfast eyes Towards thy Countrey ( Home of Happy-men ) least , ere thou looke , in straying pathes thou dye . Now faints my force , my sense impaires , my flesh like wither'd fruit now falleth with each breath : Some Birds o'er-aged doe their youth refresh ; but Man growne Tw●-childe is at doore of death , The Young-man may dye quickely ; but the Olde can not liue long : misse-haps may wracke the one ; But nought , in Arte or Nature , long can hold the other here ; for , they are almost gone . Then if green yeers should somtimes mind the graue , the Gray must still , that there are with a breath ; For , Age to Death is but the Gally-slaue , that on a moments fluxe , whafts life to death . To serue the World ( although I able were ) small cause haue I to will it ; sith it is The ground which nought but ranckest Ils doth beare and where men most esteemed , are most amisse . I long haue cultur'd this but flinty-field , which yeelds but Crops of Cares , Woes , wrongs , and spight ; Yeelding the more annoy the more they yeeld ; whose very Ioyes are Tares that pine the Spright ! Then , it is time to change ( by heauenly Arte ) the thriftlesse course of so course Husbandry ; And with Remorse to furrow vp my Heart , melting the Clods with teares , that are too dry . And so to sow Loues seedes that faire encrease , to fat the Soule in vertue , till shee melt In flames of Charitie ( till Faith doth cease ) to giue more taste of heauenly pleasures selt . And sith my Spring is spent , my Summer past , and to the Fall of leafe my Tyme arriues : Nay , sith his frost Time on my Head hath cast , I must prepare for cold that life depriues . My negligence hath made sinnes Earth ( my Heart ) to yeeld but poysonous Weeds of thoughts impure ; Which doe but bane my Soule , and get the start of Vertue , in their growth , by Customes pow'r . Meane while , my flesh ( with heat of youth , & bloud ) hath shrunke from cherishing their root : yet , lo , The Marrow of my Bones doth yeeld them foode ; so , thogh I shrink , they , through that compost , grow . And , as one tost at Sea with Stormes and feares makes little way , though much he be turmoild ; So , he in vice , that past hath many yeeres , hath had long time , but life as short , as soild . For , Life is measur'd by the good we doe , not dayes we spend ; sith some , by many dayes , Get many Deaths ; as some haue come vnto Eternall Life by short Life , spent with praise . What is a Soulelesse Body , but a Clod ? and what 's the Soule without her cause and life , But quicke to Sinne , and dead to Grace and God ; Hell to it selfe , selfe-Hell , or Hell of strife ? He is the Way , besides which all are wide ; the Truth , against which all in errour dwell : The Life , without which , all in death abide : in whom to be , is onely to be well . O then ( deare Lord ) let me beginne to liue now , in my dying , though hard , late it be ; Yet better late then neuer , to reuiue me , dead in sinne , by mortifying me . It 's hard ( I grant ) that after life's neere spent in mortall Sinne , immortall life t' expect : Yet Lord ( how euer late ) let me repent while Aire I breathe , and doe it not reiect . Yet Loue must cause remorse and hate of Sinne ; for , true contrition ( which true life dorh giue ) Is caus'd by Loue , sith we so bad haue beene t' a God so good ; that di'd to make vs liue . Then loue ( my Soule ) for no ends but thine END ; By-purposes are purposelesse : for , ONE That knowes all Hearts , Remorse doth but offend that is not for his Loue conceiu'd alone . Then , to be truely contrite , hard it is ; sith it respects but Loue , that Grace allures : Whereof , in but a scruple , if we misse ; it 's but Attrition , which lesse Grace procures . O Death ! how sowre is thy rememberance to him whose Soule is swolne with sweetest Sinne , And hath thereof a feeling ? I ( perchance ) haue so in shew ; but more ( much more ) within ! My Lifes-bud blasted was with heate of bloud ; the Flow'r then needs must fade and Fruit decay : Nay , leaues and Branch haue perisht with the Bud ; and now the Truncke is turning into Clay . Lord , how shall I thus soild with Sinne , for shame appeare before thy Glory ? I ( alas ) Am but Confusion , euer out of frame ; and was at best ere fully fram'd I was . The least of all my Sinnes will be ( at least ) a most seuere Accuser : but , the whole ( Equall to that which thou dost most detest ) ( with but a thought ) confounds my thoughtfull Soule . O Christ , thy Wounds , renued by my Sinne , still bleed to my Confusion : for , I faint At that which others still are strength'ned in : so , thy all-sauing bloud doth me but taint . Sweete Christ , yet be my Iesus , ( though I be thus quite o'er-whelm'd , with sins cōfounding floud ) And in thy bloud , I shed , still rince thou me vntill thine Ire be quenched in thy bloud . Yea , in thy Wounds ( as Ionas in the Whale ) saue me from drowning in thy doomes-profound : Let Mercies Beames my filth of sinne exhale ; and it dispieese , that it no more be found : So shall I , cast on Safeties Shore by thee , Still praise thy Grace for so securing me . The carefull Soule because of the momentany condition of transitory life , desireth to wash away the filth of sin with the teares of continuall penitencie . SIth on this moment of fraile Life depends th' eternall weale or woe of humane Breede , And that no meanes can long deferre their ends , let Teares still feede me ( Lord ) till Wormes I feede . For , Teares for Sin , doth Sin , through grace , destroy ; ( so kill their Cause ) whereon who feeds shall liue , Where they that sow in teares , shall reape in ioy ; then let my Teares me ( dead in Sinne ) reuiue . They were they foode ( ô Christ ) that couldst not sin ; and yet , for others sinne , still weptst ; then I That liue a life that 's quite o'erwhelm'd therein , had need to weepe till ( drown'd in teares ) I dye . Happy that Soule that on a Sea of Teares sailes ( in Faiths Ship , by Hopes securest Cape ) Vnto the Port of Peace ; and with her beares Good-workes that make the Worker wracke escape . This World 's but Sorrowes Sea , whereon mankinde is tost with Stormes of Troubles , that arise By Enuy , Malice , or Fa●es wayward winde , whiles Life to Death , more swift then Swallow flies . If , in the way , a Calme the Course prolongs , it holds vs but to griefe , resembling Ioy ; While Pleasure , with her charming Syren-Songs , o'erwhelme vs ( in the end ) in deep'st annoy . Twixt Silla and Charibd●s ( Ioy and Griefes ) fraile life still floates ; and wrackes in Eyther oft ; ( Which equally to Death betrayeth Life ) but low estate lesse sinckes then that aloft . Why should we then prize worldly things so much which haue no good , but as they vs respect ; And lightly weigh those Treasures without which we haue no Goodnesse , but are meere Defect ? Honor and Pow'r , Health , Beauty , Strength , and Wit are but as Smoake , that comes from troubled fire : The more it growes , the lesse continues it ; and , comes to nought whan ●t doth high'st aspire ! To be in Princes grace ( which all desires ) procures but Pride , which blindes our Iudgements sight , While like a siled Doue , we ( Lord ) aspire , till sou'raigne heate , at height , doth sinke vs quite . Then t is in vaine , to trust in Princes grace , which pleasure or their profit may procure ; And when these faile , they streight auert their Face ; but Lord , thy Grace is euer free as sure . Then let me wholy on thy Grace depend ; yet so , as still I worke it to encrease ; So , it with me shall worke too , to the end ; and , at the end , with me , shall rest in Peace : To which ( deare Lord ) vouehsafe thy Grace may goe With my toil'd Soule , that cannot rest but so : A short Meditation of the breuitie of life ; with an Incitation to make good vse of the present time . WOldst thou be spurr'd to run the way of truth ? then , see how time doth run with thee away : Youth comes on Childhood ; Man-hood comes on Youth : on Man-hood , Ages ; and Age at Death doth stay : So , Time ascends and descends with such haste vpon the Scale of Lifes-gradation , That liu'd we but to mend our misses past , yet death would cease our work ere halfe were done . Time-past , is gone ; in it we cannot mend ; Time-future , is vncertaine ; then , therein We are vnsure our ill bents to vnbend ; the Present-time is ours , to cease to sinne : Yet that Time ceaseth while we thinke thereon ; Then , if we mend not now , now , Time is gone . A short meditation of Mans Miserie . WHat was I , am I , or what shall I be ? I was nought , am nought ; and , for ought I do , Shall be farre worse then nought ! ô wretched me ! why ? was I borne for nought ; and worser too ? This makes me to deplore my Day of Birth ; ( sith I was borne to so hard exigent ) As all men doe , that doe enioy the Earth ; yet , so enioy it , as th' are ne'er content . We hold that Infant but a Prodigie that in his Birth doth not the World salute With note of Present-future misery : for , that 's his Birth-right cleare and absolute . In Sinne Originall was I conceiu'd ; in actuall Sinne I liue ; and I may taste Eternall paine for that I first receiu'd ; with that I liue in now ; and that is past . I , in the Wombe was loathsome ; in the World , a Sacke of all Corruption ; in the Graue , A Prey of Vermine ; and may thence be hurl'd to Hell : if what Sinne spoyles , Grace doe not saue . When I was nothing , then was I without Hope to be sau'd , or Feare condemn'd to be : Now , of the first I hope ; but , more doe doubt : and , of the last stand still in ieopardie . I was such , as I could not then be damn'd ; but , now am such , as hardly can be sau'd : For at the first I was in cleannesse fram'd ; but now by me its more then most deprau'd . Erect ( deare Lord ) my pristrine Puritie ; correct my present Vices ; and direct My future steps : direct them Sinne to flye , and , to attaine the Grace of thine Elect : So shall I praise thy Name ( with them ) and say : Blessed be HIM that so inspir'd my Clay . That our Saluation comes from God. LOrd , thou hast said , thou mad'st not death ; thē let that which thou mad'st not , neuer signiorize O'er me that thou hast made : but Watches set to keepe death from me , when from Death I rise . If thou be sory for my Death ; then who shall let thy Ioy in giuing life to me , If thou wilt , thou canst saue me : I not so ; I can but dye , vnlesse I liue by Thee : For , I can will , but can performe no good ; nor yet will good , without my Will thou moue ▪ In thy good-will then , lies my liuelihood ; and yet thou bidst me labour for thy Loue ! But , Lord , I cannot , if thou help me not ; that 's make me willing , and worke with me too : Nor can I moue a Man , but I must blot without thee ; so , my Pow'r's but to vndoe . For , I would , sometimes , that I can ; but then I know not what I can or would ; vnlesse Thou make me see ( beyond my Natures ken ) what I should doe , and it , in deede , expresse . And if I should haue , with my Pow'r and Will , Knowledge to guide me ; yet , if that be mine , ( Without thy Wisedome ) It will wander still ; for , all that tread true Steps , must tread in thine : Then ( ô deare Lord ) doe all for me ; yet so , As I may rest with thee , and with thee goe . A serious Meditation of the last Iudgement : worthy to be often minded , and repeated . DRead Lord , by whom all Soules are sentenced , when I bethinke me of that dreadfull Day , Wherein thou com'st to iudge the Quicke and Dead , I faint , as falling quite , with Feare , away . When all this All shall be reuerst , and made a Chaos suncke in all-deuouring Flames : For , Vengeance shall the Vniuerse inuade ; and , change her Fabrickes though they keepe their Names . A chill-cold Bloud ( still flowing from Dismay ) fleets throgh my veines , when throgh my brains doth glide But eu'n the naked thought of that blacke Day , wherein all Flesh shall be most strictly tride . When Christ vpon a Throne of Sunnes and Starres , reflecting Beames against each other so , As Glory with her selfe shall seeme at Warres , shall doome all Flesh to endlesse weale or woe . For , he shall shake the Sanctuaries of Heau'n ; and , with the Shocke , appeare with flames of fire , And Millions of his Angels , to make eu'n with good and bad ; in fauour , or in ire . Aray'd with all Eye-blinding Maiestie , infernall Angels ( his dread Throne beneath ) Wayting , with ougly Formes , and hedious Cry , to execute his Doome of second Death . Where Hell still gapeth ( greedy ) to receiue condemned Caitifes into quenchlesse fire , Without light flaming , onely but to grieue ; and grieue , but to torment , not life expire . All on a floud of Fire shall ( sinking ) floate to clense them from corruption : n'erthelesse The most corrupt , though scowr'd , without the Boate of Diuine safety , sincke in deep'st distresse . As high as Water in the Floud did rise , so high , nay , higher shall this Fire ascend : For , it shall scowre the Planets and the Skies ; for , new must Heau'n and Earth be , in the end . Riuers , shall pa●tch ; Founts , faile ; and Mountaines fade ; not that their proper substances shall cease ; But all the Vniuerse shall then be made most pure , to last , eternally , in peace . The Sea , shall boile , and all her scaly Hoast therein shall seath ; and floate vpon her froth ; The Earth vnto this Sodde , shall be the Roast ; and Skie and Aire shall baste , and burne them both . Then shall the Heau'ns bright Studs , the golden Stars , drop from their Spheares ; and showre downe thicke as Haile With flames inuolu'd , like firie Meteors ; for , then shall fire gainst Heau'n and Earth preuaile . The Sunne and Moone to Bloud ( ô wonder ) growne boyling and broiling twixt sulphurious Wings , Shal'through the glowing aire come whizzing down like to a fire-wing'd Ball that , flying , sings . The names of Heau'n and Earth shall yet abide after their Conflagration ; but , they shall Be chang'd in Qualities , and purifide ; for , both shall be much more Celestiall . For , loe , the Iudge shall come with flames of fire in Chariots like a Whirlewinde , and shall burne On eu'ry side , till all things doe retire into themselues , and clense them in the turne ! Our Sinnes haue so the Elements defil'd that they with Fire must needes refined be : Nay , more ; our sins the Heau'ns themselues haue soild ; then melt they must , from soile to set them free . Sinne all things subiect made to vanitie ; then must they be dissolu'd , sith in that veyne They vnrefin'd ( that 's , most vnpure ) doe lye , that so they may their first pure plight obteine . For , if the Heau'ns , sinne soiled , must not stand , much lesse must Man , whom filth doth ouer-flow ; Both must be purg'd before the Iudgement ; and immortall made , to come to Iudgement so . The Subiects of the High'st are Saints ( at least ) if so : then Men vnsanctifide are none : Then must a Man , in shew ; in deede , a Beast , be made a perfect Man , ere he be one . The Citizens of Heau'n are ( like the Place ) as pure as pretious : for , what enters here Must be as full of Glory , as of Grace , else downe it must , with shame , another where . Then , in this life , how ought we minde our ends , sith on this life ( that 's counted but a spanne , ) Eternitie of weale or wee depends , which ends the Race that formerly we ranne . One Age doth goe , another comes ; and both Time of their time , at vnawares depriues ; Man 's but a Shade , a Vapor , or a Moth , that straight consumes the Time wherein he liues . Too like a Torch , whose light and lasting both answeres his Substance ; and the long'st can last , But while the last drop of his moisture doth the least sparke of his glory ouercast . Flesh is but dust , made durt , with bloud transfus'd ; which with a fillop , or lesse force is spoil'd : And , in the Elements be'ing eft diffus'd , lies there , like something , next to nothing , soil'd . The World ( like Ice ) is slippry , brittle , cold ; and , apt to melt , and quickly shift his Formes ; They stand still falling whom he doth vphold ; and who goes carelesse , curelesse he enormes . What ere it holds is past ; and , that 's past cure : or Present ; and , that momentarie is : Or else it is to come ; and , that 's vnsure : then all it holds are nought but falacies . Yet here ( ô griefe ) fond Man seekes sure repose ; eu'n here where Nothing rests but in vnrest : Where most men stand by others ouerthrowes ; and where the worst in life , in state are best . Where Pleasure paine fore-runs ; where life 's the brooke that glides into Lifes Sea , all-swallowing DEATH : ( Sweete Streames to bitter ) where Hels mortall hooke lies hid to hold , or draw vs vnderneath . Like Herods glory that 's deuour'd of Wormes ; ( our constantest companions in the end ) Wher all the smoothest Calmes proue roughest storms , and all in all to wracke , vnwares , doe bend . Where Princes Palaces ( the prid of Cost ) are but rude Earth , which skill vnperfect formes : Their Gold but worst Earths Marrow , at the most ; and , all their daintiest Silkes but doung of Wormes . Riches , but Runnawayes ; Fauours , but lyes ; good words , meere winde , that lightly comes & goes : Where Generation to Corruption hyes ; and all is but a dreame of nought but showes . Such as the end is , such must be the meane that tends thereto ; Corruption is our end : Then , all that leades thereto , is most vncleane : so , in vncleannesse rise we , and descend . This makes the Heau'ns so oft to drowne in Teares the Earth , defil'd by our vncleannesse ; and So drown'd , as dead , she beares but dearest yeeres , or Eares that are as deare as is the Land. So , with remorse , reuenge to execute ; so , stroke and strike at once ; to make vs feele . Our dissolution , sith so dissolute , in loue and ire , that stayes and makes to reele . While our Lifes Twine vpon the heau'nly Spheares is reel'd vp straite ; & Time ( whose turnes they cause ) Doth all o'erturne : so , Water all appeares , which Time to cast downe quickly , still vp-drawes . Time steales away , as he would giue the slip to all that breathe ; yet , in so stealing , he Takes all things with him ( like a fraughted Shippe ) that he doth hold , when he doth ( fearelesse ) flee . Vpon the World he steales , and , with him brings a world of yeeres , wherewith the World doth weare ; As Men can witnesse , and all earthly Things : for , now they be but moates to what they were . Those she produc'd when she was in her youth , were Ceders to these shrubs : for , she was then In her full vigour ; and gaue greater growth to all she bare ; for , Giants were her Men. None otherwise then as a Wife in yeeres , beares none so goodly Children as in youth ; No more this World ( now ouer-aged ) beares such as in youth she did , for Grace nor growth . She Giants brought in youth ; but now she ages she beares but Pigmies , men that scarse appeare ; Too little to be Pages to their Pages that first she bare ; which shewes her end is neere . And so say all that strictly doe obserue Diuine and Humane Writings , and the State Of all things past and present ; which doe serue for signes and demonstrations of her date . Within sixe dayes God made the Vniuerse a thousand yeeres with whom is but a day : Then it is thought such sixe dayes shall reuerse his sixe dayes Worke , that moues but , so , to stay . But , for th' Elect , the foot of this Account shall be cut off ; then , now the end appeares : For , all the passed yeeres doe neere amount to those sixe dayes , that make so many yeeres . The Worlds Parts are decaid ( as doth appeare ) Etna , Parnassus and Olympus too Are not so eminent as erst they were ; and all that 's done , seemes quite now to vndoe . Now swels the Sea , where erst faire Cities stood ; so , where Men walkt , now huge Sea-monsters swim : And , where the Earth was couer'd with her Floud , now Citties stand , vnneere the Oceans Brim . Hils suncke , Flouds dride , the Planets lose their force , and Plants their vertue ; yea , the totall Frame Of Nature's out of frame : the Sunne in 's course is out of course , with age suncke in the same : For , since the dayes of Ptolomey it 's found many degrees more nigh the Earth he stoupes : So , like an aged Drunkard , runneth round , till flat he fall : for , more and more he droupes . The Articke and th' Antarticke Poles shall wracke the Climes they couer : and the Hoast of Heau'n Shall ioyne their Forces to breake Natures Backe ; and , all confuse to which was Order giu'n . Th' Astrologers will haue it end , when all the Starres possesse their first place in their Spheares , Which Platos yeere they stile : the Hebrew Caball will haue it but endure sixe thousand yeeres . Whereto agree Elias Oracles and many a sacred Saints , of times more late● Which Seers saw them through the Spectacles of Heau'n-holpe Ghesses , cleare as most elate ! The World shall last ( say they ) two thousand yeeres without the Law : two thousand yeeres within : Two thousand vnder Grace : and then appeares the God of Grace , to cleare the World of Sinne. Then thou that sleep'st ( my drowsie Soule ) awake ; pray , and be sober ; watch , the end is neere : Sinnes fruit full ripe , the Kirnels ne'er so black , and Iustice Sunne beginnes eu'n hot t' appeare . That there shall be a Iudgement generall the most beleeue ; heau'ns Oracles affirme ; Diuines auerre ; the Sybils too ; and all the ancient Poets constantly confirme . Then shall the Creatures showt , the Angels call , the Trumpets sound , and all Men , dead , arise : Then shall the God of IVSTICE sentence all ; yea , be they Pow'rs or Principalities ! This Sentence shall be strict , and shall condemne the Ill to Hell , where Paine , it selfe , exceedes . ( For , when it meanest is , it 's most extreame ) and where the Worme that gnawes the Conscience breedes . And all , for euer ! Euer ! that is it , that makes All most intollerable : for , It Sense confounds , with griefe ; distracts the Wit ; and which selfe - Patience cannot but abhorre . Which to the Atheist seemes impossible , that Bodyes so infirme , so soone destroid , Should euer brooke such Paines immensible , and not consume ; yea , vtterly made voide . Whereto if it be said , th' Almighty will at last , raise bodyes from defect so cleare That ( cleared so ) they shall continue still ; and all Hels wasting woes , vnworne , shall beare ! Yea , Soules ( though incorporeall ) shall , the while , of true materiall Fire be pained still ; How ere it makes our Humane Reason reele , yet he can doo 't , that can doe what he will. For , they shall deeme they in their Bodies be ; and feele all Torments comprehensible : For , Soules then Bodies better f●ele and see sith by them onely , Flesh is sensible . As when we dreame , without our Bodies we ; deeme vs within ; sith Sense vs not forsakes : Nay , without Eares and Eyes we heare and see , more liuely farre , then when our Sense awakes : So , doe the damn'd suppose they in their Flesh ▪ doe suffer ; that but suffer in their Sp'rit , Sith Sense in them so li●ely is , and fresh , in entertaining Dolor or Delight . Which in the Fount of Truth doth cleare appeare : for , Diues had a Tongue that was enflam'd As he suppos'd ; though but his Soule it were : but Atheists will not know this till th' are damn'd . For , they except against Diuinitie , Religion , Faith ; and onely doe appeale To Reason , Sense , and fraile Humanitie , which ne'erthelesse this veiled Truth reueale . For proofe whereof ; the Salamander lyes and liues in fire , which he desires to touch ; Yea , most is ioy de when most therein he fries ; for , hee 's most cold , and cooles the fire as much . The Adamant ; yea , Gold it selfe , if pure , endures all force of fire , and ne'er doth waste : Shall Stones and Mettals then , the Fire endure , and shall mans flesh refinde , in Fire , not last ? A Peacockes flesh , though dead , corrupteth neuer ; ( try it who list ) and shall it still remaine , And Mans flesh , made by Death to last for euer , not last ? it shall , though it still liue in paine ! Lime in it selfe hath fire ; yet weares it not : and when it 's kill'd , it 's quickned ; then , shall we Say Flesh reuiu'd must waste , if still too hot , when Death , as from his death , from it doth flee ? By Water that doth coole all other Heates , the Lime is fir'd ; but poure some Oyle thereon , ( Though Oyle feedes fire ) it neyther burnes , nor sweates , but rests as cold as any other Stone ! If then the nature of quicke - Lime be such as Fire to hold , and yet not dye with it ; Why should not flesh immortall , doe as much , when it 's enabled by Pow'r infinite ? Some Salt in Sicily , cast in the fire , straight melts to Water ; and , in Water throwne , Crackes like Fire : ô ! who can then aspire to know the Cause , that yet was neuer knowne ? Th' Arcadian Asbest , being once enflam'd , will ne'er be quencht : but , lasts an endlesse flame : Then why not those that endlesly are damn'd , being made immortall to endure the same ? And in Epyrus is a Fount , wherein a Torch may lighted be , and quenched too : If these things are , and more , more strange haue bin , why should we thinke but God can stranger doe ? Before Mans fall , he could not dye ; for , Death came by his Fall : Then , cannot that high Pow'r That fashion'd him of nought , and gaue him Breath , make him , re-made , eternally endure ? The Wonders which he workes continually , are not admir'd , sith they familiar be : For , Admiration's dull'd by frequencie ; else should we wonder at what still we see . The Face of mankinde wer 't not vniforme , men could not be from beasts discern'd and showne : And yet had All , in all respects , one Forme One from another hardly could be knowne . Thus , Likenesse with great Difference rests we see , in one selfe Thing ; which for such common are We ne'er admire them ; but we muse when we see but two Faces like : for , that is rare ! And at the Load-stone we doe wonder lesse , that naile by naile , doth many nailes vphold , By touching but the first ; yet sith it is so common , we admire not ; as we should . I might be endlesse in recounting such most strange Effects , whereof no Cause is knowne : Then were it madnesse not to grant as much Pow'r to th' Almightie and to Natures Crowne . No : he hath said It , by whose onely WORD all is that is : and All hath made of nought : Whose Power is Infinite ; which can accord Repugnancies themselues , but with a Thought ! For , there is nothing that doth argue Pow'r , but he can doe it : what he cannot doe Is fraile , inglorious , base , and most impure ; else can he doe it , and vndoe it too ! If Gods Prerogatiue were crusht so close that he no more then Man had pow'r t' effect ; How were he God ? nay , God himselfe he showes in that his Workes farre passe our Intellect ! Then , let 's beleeue , Omnipotence can speake no Word it cannot doe ; how e'er to vs It seemes impossible : for , we are weake , and weakly iudge of hard things to discusse . But , let vs rest on that ne'er-failing WORD , nay , so put vp our Rest that eu'n our Soules Yea , all our All may thereby be assur'd , in so faire Hazard that no Chance controules . For , should we rest but on those restlesse Stayes that Reason ( betraid by sense ) erects , we shall But rest on that 's betrayed , and betrayes : so , in right sense and Reason , needes must fall . But say there were no rising after Death : by vertuous life , what doe or can we lose , But spend our Time in gaining longer breath : for , Vertue ( Lifes foes ) Passions doth repose ? And if there were no Hell to punish sinne , yet we , in Reason , should not sinne ; sith it Is so obsceane ; and thereby nought we winne but selfe-condemning of our Will and Wit. But we that doe beleeue we eft shall rise , haue great aduantage of the rest : for we Haue what they haue ( though fewer vanities ) and , by our faith , in case farre better be . For , if there be another Life than this , wherein all weale or woe we must sustaine ; Then , by Good workes , and Faith , we shall haue blisse : but faithlesse men all labour for their paine . For , impious Atheists take more paines for Hell , tiring themselues with ioyes that vexe their Sp'rits , Then pious men , still praying in their Cell , doe take for Heau'n ; for , That the Sp'rit delights . Deare Lord , then so dispose my Wit and Will that I may rest vpon thy Word , which makes Me blest ; and worke , in rest , thereafter still with more delight then Sense in pleasure takes . In sacred Raptures take my Soule to thee ; and , her embrace with kisse of endlesse Peace : That being so familiar still with mee , I , at thy Doome , may hopefull be through these . That though the horror of that day be such as may all Sense confound with feare , past feare ; Yet may I hope ( though yet I feare too much ) thou wilt not damne him whō thou heldst so dear . Meane while , so binde my Sense with vertues bands , that it may neuer moue , but as she shall Loose or restraine it ; or , thy sacred Hands ; all whose restraints are free from paine , or fall ! And let that Trump ( as with a Saint it did ) still in the Organ of my hearing sound That shall to Iudgement call both quicke and dead ; that so Ieuer may be ready found . For , yet I doe but doate on false Delights , Delights ? alas ! that stile they ill sustaine , Though false be added : for , they vexe the Sp'rits of all that taste them : so they are but paine . Vncharme the Charmes then , of these grieuous ioyes , that still allure my sense of them to taste ; And let my pleasure be in all annoyes , for , thy deare Loue , vntill I breath my last . For , were I here to liue as many a yeere , as yeeres haue moments in extreame annoy ; Yet it vnworthy of Heau'ns glory were , sith it is infinite in time , and ioy . But now , by Nature ( though it should extend my life beyond my life ) I cannot last , Longer then one that 's making now his end : for , my best part of life , long since , is past . My best ( said I ) ô sname ! if so it were , I should dispaire ; or , if I did not so , I should be franticke with distracting feare , that my best time in madnesse did bestow . But Thou that of the worst canst make the best , make this my worst time best ; my later Age Make better then my first : for , I detest to thinke on That so fond , so full of rage . Let me relapse no more , in word , nor deede , Relaspses more doe vexe me then my sinne : And yet my sinnes still make my Conscience bleede : but my Relapses ranckle still therein . Relaps in sicknesse , fleshes death doth threat ; Relaps in Heresie , the death of Sp'rit ; In Error , it makes falshood hugely great ; and so in sinne it makes it infinite ! In Grace ( sweet Sauiour ) there is neuer stay , a Progresse or a Regresse still there is : But from a Regresse let me euer stray , although thereby I goe about to blisse . What bootes it me to day to fight with sinnes , if I to morrow follow Sathans Flagge ? It is th'vnwearied fighter glory winnes ; the weary , but base Baggage and the Bagge . Then let the dreadfull day of mine Accounts be so annext vnto my Heart and Braine , As if they were one Essence , and the founts of teares ( mine Eyes ) still farre out-flow the Maine ! And fixe mine Eyes still on my Mother Earth , to minde from whence I came , and where I must . Or else on Heau'n ( from whence my Soule had birth ) but looke on no meane Things for them to lust , Although such Continence be not without their outward spight , that Vertue inly Hate : For , when we first , to liue well , goe about , w' are crost and recrost by the Reprobate . As thy deare Seruant ( walking on the Maine , vpon thy bidding ) fainted ( when he saw A sodaine Gust make rough th Oceans Plaine ) inuokt thy help , neare sincking through that Flaw . So , in this World , a Sea of woes and spight , thou bidst vs come to thee ; but as wee hie , Huge Stormes of troubles threat to sinke vs quite ; then helpe we craue , with feare , at point to dye . Yet Constant Lord , let me no more relapse , no more , no more , once more would kill me quite ; Rather then so , let thy fierce Thunder-claps dash me to dust , so thou receiue my sp'rit : But let my sp'rit how e'er I dye ( deare Lord ) Wade through thy deepest Iudgements on thy Word . The Sinner acknowledges and admires his owne frailtie : desiring Grace and strength to stand in V●rtue , and with-stand Vice. AFfliction still lyes heauie on my Soule , which makes her stupid , dry , and dull to pray ; Then ( Lord ) vnlesse thou doe her pow'r controule , she needes must sinke to Hell beneath her sway . O Sinne ( that with high Hand dost hurle so low ) thou art sole Cause of his so bad Effect : Thou NOTHING , that dost all things ouerthrow not staid by Grace , why dost me thus deiect ? O had I beene abortiue , and dead borne ; or , if not so , the Font had rest my breath : Then had I made a quicke and safe returne , that now must passe in perill to my death ! I can but sinne , then Iustice can but scourge ; so , Sinne and Scourges , wheeling , o'er me goe : Yea , Sinne being quiet , I it oft doe vrge ; so , on me , with it , pull a World of woe . Lord ! what am I , that am so rarely fraile ? that can doe nothing : that is , sinne I can : For , Sinne is Nothing ; yet , it doth preuaile against me , Something : that is , marres a Man ! When I doe minde the strange Austeritie , familiar with some ( reclus'd from this life ) The watching , praying , fasting , charitie , the fights with Flesh , with Sinne , the endlesse strife , I am amaz'd with wonder ; grieu'd with shame ; nay , waighing theirs with mine , my conscience bleeds To see the ods : ô fie , I am to blame , to call it ods , sith it all ods exceedes ! For white and blacke doe farre lesse disagree then theirs and mine : mine being , lighty , darke ; Theirs , darkly , light ; and lights the darke to see : notorious I , for sinne ; they , Saints of marke . So that I am confounded but to minde the ods ( surmounting ods ) betweene the two : For , in my selfe , with Pride , all ill I finde ; in them all good , and yet most humble too . Then , sith Comparisons are but too blame betweene things so repugnant ( for , they doe But shew the ods vnto the worsers shame ) I will forbeare , and beare the blemish too . For , all reproch ( though infinite it were ) comes short of endlesse sinne , in foule offence : Then , may I well that All ( as nothing ) beare , which Centers but my sinnes Circumference ! For , weake as frailtie is my strongest force in fight with vices , and in ghostly warres : At best no better then a liuing Corse ; and that the Vrne that but my Soule interres ! I fight , but faint , the first Incounter trying ; yet , oft by standing on my strength too much I quite am foil'd , that might haue foil'd by flying ; such is my rashnesse , and my weakenesse such . If I o'er come , ( as seldome so I doe ) my spirit growes proud , and confident withall : So this farre worse then that doth me vndoe ; for spirituall pride still takes the lowest fall . But , when I fall , thy help ( Lord ) I inuoke , to raise me : rais'd , I fall to worser ill : So seeme but leaue to craue , ( though it I cloke ) but still to fall , and to be raised still . But to thee ( knower of all thoughts ) it 's knowne such Boones are sinnes that beg but leaue to sinne : My Boones no better be ; for , being downe , I craue to rise by Grace , to fall therein . And though my Prayers aime at no such end , yet , in the end ( sith I but rise and fall ) It seemes I did but by the same entend to make my selfe thy Mercies Racket-ball . Which falling hardest , highest doth rebound ; but , to doe ill , that good thereof might rise , Is Ill , so ill , as may the Soule confound ; then , all that good in Soule-confounding , lies . To sinne of purpose , but to make vs meeke , augments the fault ; for , t is presumptuous Sinne : And who , by Error , Heau'nly Truth shall seeke , shall lose her quite , and Hell , with Error , winne . Then , Lord of Truth , when I haue tane a fall , let me desire to rise , to fall no more : So though thou bandy me from wall to wall , yet , keepe me vp , at least , with beating sore . And , if , by weakenesse , I shall sometimes slippe , so stay me then , that downe I fall not quite : Let me , at most ( if so at least ) but trippe ; then , take the faster footing through thy might . So shall I praise that Pow'r that stayes me so ; And , euer ouercome an Ouerthrow . THE DOLEFVLL DOVE : OR , Dauids 7. Penitentiall Psalmes ; somewhere paraphrastically turned into Verse . Domine ne in furore . Psal. 6. When Dauid by his sinnes had prouoked Gods wrath ; and now felt , not onely his hand against him , but also conceiueth the horrors of death euerlasting , he desireth fornesse , bewailing that if God tooke him away in his indignation , he shall lacke occasion to praise him as hee was wont to doe , whiles he was among men . Then , sodainely feeling Gods mercie , he sharply rebuketh his enemies , which reioyced in his affliction . IN thy iust rage ( deare Lord ) reproue me not : ( for , iust it is , sith so vniust I am ) Nor chasten me when thy fierce Wrath is hot , lest I should be extinguisht yer the Flame . Let thy strong Grace against my Weaknesse stand ; ( thy Grace so strong , as it vpholdeth All ) And heale me ( Lord ) with thine all-helping Hand : for , eu'n my bones are bruised with my fall . My Soule 's afflicted more then griefes afflict : ( for griefes but pine ; but this doth quite vndoe ) Then Lord , how long shall I ( a poore Relict ) endure these plagues , that paine and pine me too ? O turne thy now auerted Face , to mee ( to me that fades as flowres for want of Sunne ) And let my Soule be safe , and sau'd by thee , through Grace , that hath to thee most glory wonne : For Deaths fell torments are so violent , that they constraine the Sense to minde but them : Who then in Hell , through hellish discontent , can once but minde thee , in such paines extreame ? My sorrow hath my Soule so ouer-fed , that it conuerts mine Eyes to founts of Teares : For , eu'ry night in teares I rince my Bed , and drowne my Couch in streames of griefes & feares . Mine Eyes are so o'ercast with clouds of Cares , that they see nought , but through those Water-streames : My beauty 's gone , while I away do weare , among my Foes , and these confus'd extreames . But yet I feele thy Grace ( Lord ) worke with me : then leaue me , leaue me , yee too idle Crue , That yet still worke , but worke iniquitie ; for , God hath seene my Teares , and heard me rue . You are my Foes , that ( yet ) would seeme my friends ; but Foe-like friends , and all mine enemies God will cut off by diuers fearefull ends ; and soone confound you , and your Trecheries . To God the Father , Sonne , and Holy Ghost , three Persons , and one God ; all glory be ; As it was , is , and shall be in each Coast , thoughout all worlds in all eternitie . Beati quorum . Psal. 32. Dauid punished with grieuous sicknesse for his sins , counteth them blessed , to whom God doth not impute their transgressions . And , after that he had confessed his sins and obtained pardon , he exhorteth the wicked men to liue godly ; and the good to reioyce . MOst blest are they ( how euer curst they be ) whose Crimes out of Gods Note-Booke cleane are crost ; Whose sins are couer'd so with Clemencie , that they are hid ; so , seeme they to be lost . And blest is he to whom the God of Grace imputes no Sinne ; ( for , so he shall be cleare How e'er defil'd ) and in whose sp'rit no base deceit , shall once so much as but appeare . For , while I held my peace ( that caus'd my Warre ; for Death with Silence in such passion striues ) My bodies Props ( my Bones ) consumed are while all the day I grone in Sorrowes Giues . For , day and night thy Hand ( great God ) doth lye like Lead vpon my weaknesse : who haue bin Conuerted into selfe - Calamitie , whiles the Thorne prickt me ( or , my stinging sin ) But , lo , my faults to thee I haue reueal'd , & haue not clockt my crimes , which thou dost hide : But I confesse those Sinnes , thou hast conceal'd sith my misdeedes shall ( so ) be iustifide . Thus shall each pious person pray to thee in fitting time ( yer Mercies Gate be sparr'd ) But when the Inundations swelling be of many Waters they from Him are barr'd . My fence ( ô Lord ) lies onely in thy Hands , when troubles me assaile with fiercest woe : Then ô preserue me from the impious Bands that me inclose , in death to close me so . I will saist thou ( deare Sweete ) instruct thee still , and guide thee in thy way ( ô homed Words ) Thine Eye ( thou saist ) shall me defend from ill , and watch to guard me from my foe-mens Swords . Then be , ô be not like an Horse or Mule , that are as rude as vnintelligent : Lord , bridle them , thy Snafle will not rule , till they be rul'd , or else be made repent . The Plagues are great ( most great ) and manifold , that doe the Sinner euermore attend ; But who with Hands o● Hope on God layes hold , his boundlesse Mercy him will comprehend . In Him therefore ( yee Righteous ) still be glad ; ( for , he in Griefe still glads the righteous Soule ) Exult all ye , that for your Sinnes are sad ; and all true Hearts , that stoupe to his controule . To God the Father glory be therefore , and to the Sonne , and their coequall Spirit , As it was , is , and shall be euermore World without end : for , they are infinite ! Domine ne in furore . Psal. 38. Dauid lying sicke of some grieuous disease ; acknowledgeth himselfe to be chastised of God for his sinnes , and therefore prayeth God to turne away his wrath . He vttereth the greatnesse of his griefes by many words and circumstances : as , wounded with the arrowes of Gods ire , forsaken of his friends , ●uill intreated of his enemies . But in the end , with firme confidence he commendeth his cause to God , and hopeth for speedy help at his hand . LOrd checke me not , vntill thy rage be past , nor chastise me in thine incens●d ●re ; For , in my Flesh thy Shafts are fixed fast ; and thy Hand quels me , that would faine aspire . Thy Wrath hath fill'd my Flesh with all annoy , ( for , Sinne 's the sore ; the salue , sore-sicknesse is : ) And , in my bones I can no rest enioy , because their Marrow them hath mou'd amisse . For mine ambitious Sinnes climbe o'er my Head , and , as a breake-necke Burden , me oppresse : My wounds ( which they haue made ) with filth are fed , and ranckled sore , through my worse foolishnesse . I am made crooked vnderneath this loade , deform'd , and wretched ; yea , it breakes my backe : So , all the day with griefe I make aboad , or mourning goe , as those that comfort lacke . For , ( ah ) my Ioynes , that lodg'd but Sinne before , now harbour nought but restlesse Malady : No health is in my flesh ; for , all is sore : so sore that anguish makes me ( roaring ) cry . But , Lord , thou know'st the Summe of my desires , because my Plaints still tell it in thine eares ; My Heart is vext , my strength from me retires ; nay , more , mine Eyes are blinded with my teares . My friends ( in shew , when thou didst fauour me ) like foes ( in deed ) now me ( poore me ) withstand : Nay , those , in bloud that were my neerest , be now furthest off ; and lend nor heart nor hand . And they that seeke my life , lay Traps to take that life ; or ( at the least ) me to vndoe : And but of guile and spoile they euer speake ; and put in practise what they speake of too . But I ( poore I ) as deafe , would nothing heare : ( for poore Soules must not hear what must offend ) And , as one dumbe , I still my selfe did beare , that gaue no more reproofes then eare did lend . Yet is my hope in thee that hearest all my sighes and grones , sith they increase for Sinne. Then let mine Enemies ne'er see my fall ; who , when I doe but trip , triumph therein . I am at point to perish ; and my Woes and cause thereof , I euer beare in minde : For , I , with griefe , confesse mine ouerthrowes , that lost thy Grace , which now I seeke to finde , But , still my Foes doe liue , and strong are made , strong in their friends , their places , purse and armes , And they that hate me ( causelesse ) and inuade me ( forcelesse ) many be ; the more my harmes . They ( monsters ) likewise , that doe ill for good oppose me still , sith goodnesse I ensue : Then , haste thee ( Lord ) to help me ( so withstood ) and leaue me not among this cursed crue . To God the Father ( which we doe adore ) and to the Sonne , and to their blessed Spirit , All glory be , as it was heretofore , is and still shall be through Worlds infinite . Miserere mei Deus . Psal. 51. When Dauid was rebuked by the Prophet Nathan for his great offences , he did not onely acknowledge the same to God , with protestation of his naturall corruption and iniquitie , but also left a memoriall thereof to his posteritie Therefore first he desireth God to forgiue his sinnes , and to renue in him his holy Spirit ; with promise that he will not be vnmindfull of those great graces . Finally , fearing lest God would punish the whole Church for his fault , he requireth that hee would rather increase his graces toward the same . GReat God of Gods ( whose Mercy is as great ) haue mercy on me ( wretch ) whose Sin exceeds ; Yet after thy compassion so compleate , wash out the blots of my too foule misdeedes . O clense me from the filth of mine offence , that ranckles in my Conscience , all defilde With all that may depraue both Soule and Sense ; that ( purg'd ) I may to thee be reconcil'd : For , I acknowledge mine iniquitie , sith still my Sinne 's the obiect of my sight ; And , by the pow'r of mine impiety , I wrong thy grace and still impugne thy Sp'rit . Against thee onely I in sinne abide , and done what doth condemne me in thy sight ; That in thy Words thou maist be iustifide , and ouercome when thou art iudg'd vnright . For , nought but wickednesse prepar'd the way to my conception ; which to worse did passe : Then , ere I was , I stood at sinfull stay ; and , when I fell to Being , worser was . This ( Lord ) is true ; confessing which , doth moue thy Grace to me thy Wisedome ( hid ) to show : Then sprinckle me with Isop , in thy Loue ; and so , I shall be whiter farre ; than Snow . Vnto mine Eares ( invred but to heare what Eares corrupts ) thou shalt but Ioy obiect : So shall the bones , which by thee broken were , reioyce ; and , sinne , wherein it ioy'd , reiect . O then from my foule sinnes thy Face auert ; and wash me from the filth they cast on me ; In me create an vndefiled Heart , with such a spirit as may be iust to thee . And cast me not , ô cast me not away out of the Way still brightned by thy beames ; Nor , from me take thy Spirit , my Guide and Stay , in hardest passages of all Extreames . Restore to me the gladnesse of thy blisse ; and , with thy chiefest Spirit , still strengthen me ; Then those I le teach that now thy wayes doe misse : so , Sinners shall conuerted be to thee . Saue me from bloud , that vengeance doth implore ; so shall my Tongue thy Iustice highly raise : But more thy Mercy , sith it glads me more . Then , ope my Lips , and they shall shew thy praise . Had'st thou desired Sacrifice , I had offer'd it to thee ; but , thou tak'st delight In no burnt Offrings ; but , art euer glad to take the Offer of a contrite Spirit . A Broken Heart , with sorrow but for Sinne , thou wilt , nor canst thou , for thy Word , despise ; Then , let mine , broken so , thy Mercy win ; and , from it still auert thine Anger 's Eyes . With Sion , ô deale gently ; that the Wals of raz'd Ierusalem rebuilt may be ; And still withstand Hels fiery darts , and Bals , to keepe thy Foes out , onely but for thee . Then shalt thou take the Sacrifice in gree , of Iustice in thy Mercy ; then , shall they Offer Oblations still in flames to thee ; and Calues vpon thine holy Alter lay . To God the Father , praise and glory be ; and to the Sonne , and to their blessed Sp'rit ; ( A Trinitie in strictest Vnitie ) as it was , is , and shall be infinite . Domine exaudi . Psal. 102. It seemeth that this Prayer was appointed to the faithfull to pray in the Captiuitie of Babilon . A Consolation for the building of the Church : whereof followeth the praise of God to be published vnto all Posteritie . The Conversion of the Gentiles : and , the stabilitie of the Church . ATtend my Prayer ( Lord ) and let my Cry ascend to thee , from whom all grace descends . From my distresse turne not thy Mercies Eye , but bowe thine Eare to me , that downward bends . When e'er I call , make answere ; for , my dayes like Vapor vanish ; and , my parched bones Waxe weake and dry , as is the flame that playes about the Snuffe , at point to quench at ones . Th' hast smitten me ( as Grasse by Lightning smit ) so that my Heart is wither'd quite away : And through my griefe , for that , I further it : for , I forget to eate , for Natures stay . And through my groning voice , my bones , that burne , to my consuming flesh , will hardly cleaue : And , like a Pelican alone , I mourne : or , like an Owle I liue , while life I leaue . I weare out Time in strictest vigilance , and , as a Sparrow , on the Houses Crest , I sit alone ; to minde my sinnes mischance : so ( idly ) resting in the most vnrest . The while my Foes ( backbiting ) me reuile ; yea , he that praised me , against me sweares : But I , as Bread , did Ashes eate the while ; and still my Drinke did mingle with my Teares . Because thy Wrath grew hot against my sinne : for , thou hast rais'd me vp , to cast me downe : My dayes are past , as if they ne'er had bin ; and ( like Hay wither'd ) I from thee am mowne . But thou ( immortall Spirit ) dost still endure ; and thy Memoriall euer lasts in prime : Thou shalt arise , and downe thy Mercies poure ( by showers ) on Sion , in this promis'd time . For , eu'n the Stones of that faire Edifice delight thy Seruants ; and her sacred Ground They pitty , as they doe her preiudice , which with the sharpest griefe their hearts doth wound . So shall the Heathen feare thine awfull NAME ; and , all the Kings on Earth thy glory feare : For , Sions Fabricke thou dost still re-frame , and in thy fullest Glory shalt appeare . Our Lord the prayers of the meeke approues , and not dispie their Suites , in wretched case : So future times to write this , this doth moue , that Babes vnborne , may praise this God of Grace . Who , from his high as holy Place , doth vaile his Eyes to Earth ( whereon they still remaine ) To heare poore Captiues plaints , and such as waile ; and , loose the Sonnes of them ( vniustly ) slaine . That they in Sion should diuulge his NAME ; and in Ierusalem his earned Praise : Yea , in th' Assemblies celebrate the same , when Kings consorted , sing sweet Sions Layes . He , in the way of his great pow'r and grace , ●hath answer'd them : but , shew ( Lord ) shew to me , How long or short shall be my mortall Race ; that so , for thee , I still may ready be . And take me not , ô take me not away , ( at vnawares ) yer halfe my Dayes be done : As for thy yeeres they stand still at a stay ; but mine more swift then thought away doe runne . In the Beginning , thou the Earth didst found , the highest Heauens thy glorious Hands did reare : But they shall perish ; thou , continue sound while they waxe old , and like a Garment weare . And , as a Vesture , thou shalt change their Frame , and they shall changed be ; but thou , alone Dost still continue One , and aye the same : whose yeeres remaine the same , and euer One ! Thy Seruants sonnes inhabit shall the Land , their seede shall be directed in thy Wayes : And while they walke therein , they fixt shall stand in Heau'n and Earth to celebrate thy praise . To God the Father then , all glory be ; t' his Sonne , and to their Spirit , which wee adore ; ( Coequall in their Essence and Degree ) as it was , is , and shall be euermore . De profundis clamaui . Psal. 130. The people of God , from their bottomlesse misery , doe cry vnto God , and are heard . They confesse their sins , and flye vnto Gods mercy . FRom depth of Griefe ( wherein my Soule doth lye ) I doe and will ( deare Lord ) still call on thee : Then , let thine eares attend mine inward Cry , and , listen to my Prayers , and to me . If thou fraile Flesh wilt call to strict account , what flesh and bloud then , in thy sight shall stand ? But Mercy is with thee , as in the Fount : then , I expect thy Mercyes Helping-hand . My Soule vpon the Faith , which thou hast plight , hath euer staid ; and still doth hope in thee ; Then from the Morning-watch , till that of Night , let Israel still relie on Thee with me . For , with this God of Glory and of Grace , is Grace as much as Glory ; and , therein He will redeeme the sad in sinfull Case ; with his true Israel , from all their sinne . To God the Father ( which we doe adore ) and to the Sonne , and to their blessed Spirit , All glory be , as it was heretofore , is , and still shall be through Worlds infinite . Domine exaudi . Psal. 143. An earnest Prayer for remission of sinnes , acknowledging that the enemies did thus cruelly persecute him by Gods iust iudgement . He desireth to be restored to grace . To be gouerned by his holy Spirit , that hee may spend the remnant of his life in the true feare and seruice of God. LOrd heare my pray'r with thine all-hearing ears ; and , for thy truths sake , note mine humble suite : O heare me in thy Righteousnesse , which heares All those that mourne , although they still be mute . And into Iudgement enter not ( O Lord ) with me , fraile man : for I , nor none beside , ( Because of sinne which we haue all incurr'd ) in thy cleare sight shall then be iustifide . For , th' enemie ( the Fiend , our common Foe ) hath long pursu'd my Soule ( that flesh misse-led ) My Life in Earth , his Fury hath brought low ; and hid the same in darknesse , with the dead . My Spirit ( therefore ) is vext , my Minde , and Heart are greatly troubled ; yet , I minded still Thy dayes of old ( thy Workes and thy Desert ) which did my Muse with Ioy and Wonder fill . My hands to thee haue still out-stretched bin , my Soule ( that thirsts ( as earth that water wants ) For drops of grace , to quench her flames of sinne ) I lift to thee , the while , for grace she pants . Then ( kindest Lord ) with speede attend my cryes ; because my fainting spirit hath failed me : Auert not from me thy conuerting Eyes , lest I be like to those that burying be . And in the dawning of the long'd-for Day , ( the Day when Iustice Sonne shall Comfort giue ) Let me the voyce of mercy heare , I pray ; sith still I hope that thou wilt me relieue . And sith so many Heads , so many Wayes are said to lead to thee , by Heads of Sects ; Shew me the Way that straight to thee conueyes , sith my poore Soule both thee and it affects . And from my Foes preserue me ( weakling ) still : to thee alone I flye in all distresse : Then teach me to performe thy blessed Will : for thou art onely all my blessednesse . Thy Spirit that cannot erre , nor yet deceiue , shall bring me to the Land that Iustice beares : And , for thy Names sake thou shalt me receiue , according to thy grace ( that neuer weares . ) From Trouble thou shalt bring my Soule to rest ; and , through thy Mercy shalt destroy my Foes : Yea , all annoy that doe my Soule molest , sith as thy Seruant , I on thee repose . To God the Father , Sonne , and Holy Ghost , three Persons , and one God ; all glory be ; As it was , is , and shall be in each Coast , thoughout all worlds in all eternitie . FINIS . RIGHTS OF THE LIVING , AND THE DEAD : Being , A proper Appendix to the precedent Meditations . OBIT-RIGHTS . A Funerall Elegie , on the death of the most vertuous , and no lesse louely , M irs . Elizabeth Dutton ; eldest Daughter of the Worthy , and generally beloued Sir Thomas Egerton Knight , eldest Sonne to the right Honorable , Thomas , Lord Elesmere , Lord Chancellor of England : which Elizabeth was , at the age of eleuen yeeres , married to Iohn Dutton , of the age of fifteene yeeres , Sonne and Heyre of Thomas Dutton , of Dutton , in the Countie of Chester Esquier : which Iohn , deceased about the age of seauenteene yeeres , and left the said Elizabeth a Virgin-Widow : who so liued till shee died the first of October , at the age of six teene yeeres and a halfe , in Anno 1611. A Virgin , Wife , and Widow , three that One Held rarely perfect in like Vnion , Incites my Muse ; nay , more , doth her cōstrain To empt my Pen of Praise , of Wit my Braine In her deserued honor : she whose all Was nought but good ; yet so , as we may call That good but nought ( and iustly ) if the same Giue not her goodnesse glory more than fame ! A Maide , in whom Virginitie gaue place ( Though most exact ) to Modestie and Grace . A Wife ( who like old Iosephs blessed Bride ) Though wedded , but vnbedded till she dide , Yet from her came , on her by Grace begot , Faith , Feare and Dutie , in a True-loue knot , Till his decease , to whom these three she bare : And after , for him , nurst them still with care . She liu'd a Widow ; but t' was hard to know Whether she liu'd or dide when she was so : Sith when she lost her Pheare , she lost her Breath ; For , Turtle-like , she mourn'd and droupt to death . But while t' was losing she such Patience wanne ( By his Death mortifide ) as she beganne ( Before her end ) her Heau'n on Earth thereby , In hope to liue with Him when Life should die . So , in her Patience , she her Soule possest Her God ; in whom her Soule , with his , did rest ; Yet rested so , that still ( vnseene ) she mou'd to both deuoutly , whom so much she lou'd ! Poets can shape of things that grace forsakes Farre rarer things than grace or nature makes . But let all Poets all their Arte vnite To fable praise , the morall is her right . Nature profusely had on her bestow'd ( Borrowing of grace ) more grace then e'er she ow'd ! And grace ( as enuying Natures Gifts , so rare ) Vnlockt the Heau'ns where all her Treasures are , And showr'd them downe so on this deerest Maide , As she for worth , an Angell should haue waide . Wit for her worth can ne'er hiperbolize ; Much lesse a Poet in it Poetize ; Sith what or Wit or Poetry can praise ( With their best Arte ) was found in her : then raise Her vp my Muse , ere she be rais'd , at last ; And her enthrone in glory high as fast : That when the Virgin , whom all Virgins blesse . , Shall , for her graces , see her gloriousnesse In Heau'n and Earth , she may ( as worthy her ) Enbozome her , or fixe her in a Starre , Whose Name and Fame while mortall Virgins liue , To them , with hers , may Light and Vertue giue ! For this , her Soule still labour'd to be gone , T'returne her Errand of Creation : As fiery Matter working in a Cloud Breakes through , for want of Matter it to shrowde : So Soules , with stirring much , are said to fire The best Complexions ; and ( so ) home retire . But , Sicknesse ( ah too sweet-lipt ) suckt her Bloud , That she had none to fire in likelihood : And so her vitall-flame , vnnourished ; Her Soule through coldnesse , left her body dead . A short life made her Virgin , Widow , Wife , But , well she l●u'd , which is the Well of life . This old World was vnworthy such a Iemme , Therefore she shines in new Ierusalem ! I best can witnesse how her time she spent , Who taught her hand to shew her hearts entent : Then may I best renowne ( for knowne desert ) The Pupill of my Hand that had my Heart . Thou hadst my Heart ( deare Pupill ) sith in thee Was all that might intirely master me . And did my Pow'r but equall halfe my Will , Laura should be thy Foile : for , I ( by skill ) Would set thee so aboue her , that thy light ( With poynant Beames ) should thrust through Earth and Night : For , when Formositie and Vertue striue In one sole Subiect for Prerogatiue , That Subiects praise must raigne ( all Tearmes aboue ) In height of Glory , Memory , and Loue ! The Grand-sire of thy Flesh in Earth's renown'd ; And thy spirits Grand-sire King of Heau'n is crown'd : Thou liuing , then , as comming from such Sires , Our Songs must answere the Celestiall Quires , That chant the praise of Vertue in their King , In whom thou art , then we on earth must sing Thy praise in his , sith his all praise containes : So thine in his . eternall glory gaines ! To thee then sing I , as I sing of Thee , Who art sole Base of this high Harmony : For , knowing Tombes haue ends as well as wasts , And that strong Rime their ruine farre out-lasts , My Muse shall labour on this ground of Fame , To raise a Pile of Rime , whereon thy Name Shall euer shine , through Wits Celestiall Plashes , Vntill another Phoenix of the Ashes Produced be ; that when it eft shall burne In those eternall flames , it eft may turne To pristine plight ; and by such alteration , Liue Phoenix-like ( still bright ) in admiration ! 3 We waile their want whose Liues our wants supplide , Not weighing how they liu'd , but when they dide : For , the best liuers here , doe liuing dye ; But after death they liue immortally . Children and Fooles are angry still with those That , to distill , disleaue the fairest Rose ; Not pond'ring how the sweetnesse in the Iuyce Is so increast , and longer lasts for vse : So , we that see this Rose ( whose hue and breath Celestiall were ) diuided so by Death , Though it for heau'nly purposes be done , Yet still our thoughts but on the spoile doe runne . But ô be 't farre from vs , to thinke thee spoil'd In liuing blest , and dying so vnsoil'd : No : we thy Memory will celebrate ; Whose weale we waile not , but reioyce thereat . If in this Paper Monument there be One Ornament of Arte that 's worthy thee , Or any Worke of Wit that may retaine Thy Memory ; my Labour for my Paine Is too great Meede ; sith by the same I show Times future , what will better them to know . So , shall I in thy Praise include mine owne ; And making thee so knowne still , still be knowne : For , if this Shrine chance to be visited By any , that regard the worthy dead , It may be they will thinke me worthy Loue , That on this Pile did all my cunning proue . Th' Egyptians with their Pirameds did striue ( Against the Heau'ns ) to keepe such , dead , aliue : And Artemisia with a matchlesse Tombe Makes her Mausolus liue vntill the doome : Though It be now demolished and gone ; Yet is he knowne by It , as It was knowne . And Wit , but with meere Words , hath often rais'd A Monument of Praise , farre longer prais'd . Then may this Worke , which but weake words erect , ( Vpon so sure a Ground ) worke like effect . The Name of Egerton she doth renowne ; And * that by which she last of all was known : Nay , had she had , by Fortune , all the Names That Wit for Natures vilest Creatures frames , Sh 'had so much Grace consorting still her Bloud As to haue made them all as great as good ! The Dayes of old did lay their Macchabes Vnder Worlds-wonders , huge Piramides ! Semiramis , in her bright Polymite : And Cyrus , in his Obelisk as bright . In his Columna they Augustus shut : And in his Mole-magno , Hadrian put . Alaricus , the Gothe that ruinde Rome , In his rich Rubico they did entombe . Those , dead , yet liu'd by these : and these againe , Liue yet by those , though nought of them remaine ! But , were I able , I my Saint would shrine Within the mouthes of Angels most diuine ; Sith they out-last all Worlds , that Time doth end , And haue ( of creatures ) best mouthes to commend ! But liue ( sweet Saint ) in mine immortall Rime ( Made by thy vertue such ) past Tombes and Time : For , if eternall Vertue cannot dye , Then thou must liue , till She doth ruin'd lye . Farewell , deare Maide ( whose body ( like a soule ) Had pow'r t' inflame the Loue it did controule ) Farewell while we , by thy deare losse fare ill ; That is ; while griefes doe grow the Heart to fill : For she that held all Hearts ( by her deserts ) To her entire , her Death must breake all Hearts . Ye Ladyes ( that ( aliue ) doe inly loue So much o'er-weening that doth mortall proue ) Looke not ascue , nor turne the Head aside ( As if you could no Praise but yours abide ) At these iust Praises ( Relickes of the Dead ) But learne by them to be so honoured . , , Enuy doth leaue the Enui'd at the Graue ; That Fort from Enuy should the Vertuous saue : Then ( ô ) exalt these Lauds , vnlesse you will Be rather pittied , then enuide still . Poets ( I grant ) haue libertie to giue More height to Grace , then the Superlatiue : So hath a Painter licence too , to paint A Saint-like face , till it the Saint out saint . But Truth ( which now mine Art to shaddow striues ) Makes licence larger by the grace she giues . But yet , To say thou wast the Forme , ( that is the soule ) Of all this All ; I should thee misenroule In Booke of Life ; which ( on the Earth ) they keepe That of Arts fountaines haue carowsed deepe , Nay , so I should displease and wrong thee both : For , vniust praise thou canst not chose but lothe , That lothed'st it here ; then there , more ( past compare ) For , hee 's the Soule of All by whom they are . But I may say , ( and none the same gainsayes ) Thou art the soule of this thy World of Praise ! Whose soule did animate thy small-world too To be the soule of all that here I doe . Oft haue I seene thee , ( nay I see thee yet , Whose face and manners I shall ne'er forget ) When as thine eares had heard , or eyes had seene Ought that to Vertue had offensiue beene , Thy face and brest with that faire blush o'erflow Which Modestie ( not Bashfulnesse ) doth owe. In these bold Times it 's held a Tricke too fresh Of vnbred Indians , so to paint the flesh For any cause : but , this is but th' effect Of Impudence , the Times soules chiefe affect . No Parts ( i● laudable ) at Court requir'd , But they attir'd thee in thy state retir'd : Yet thou so modestly didst act them still As that the light'st seem'd graue against their will ! What shall I say ? in thee was nought so small That was not greatly prais'd and lou'd of All ! This shewes thy Mother true vnto thy Sire , Whose worths , in loue , set all the World on fire ! Thou , his true Daughter , likewise dost the same , While thou goest through Obliuion by the flame ! The Soule a two-fold action hath ; that is , Originall , and Instrumentall ; this By Nature doth the like produce ; but that ( Meere Intellectual ) doth not generate . Though Nature yet , could not so high aspire , Thou , in thy spirit , wast like thine honor'd Sire By speciall grace of Heau'n ; for , in your Birth Such Planets met , as deckt and ioyde the Earth . But ô ! too soone the earth quite lost that Ioy ; And in that losse found infinite Annoy . Such is the staylesse state of Things below , That doe but vanish while they seeme to grow ! Beneath the Moone , all is but like the Moone , Constant in nothing but in changing soone : And so will be while they remaine beneath ; Resting from changing onely but in Death : As when the Whirle-windes ( in their wheeling play ) Pursue their Turnes , till , in their Center , they Returne into themselues : so , Nature goes On in her Course ( which first from forme arose ) Vntill this World of forme be dispossest , And Nature in the Chaos , takes her rest . That Time runs round , by this dark Riddle 's bright ; A Father hath twelue sonnes halfe blacke , halfe white , And eu'ry sonne hath thirty , which still liue ; And when their sires decease , they them reuiue : So sire and sous still die , but die in vaine ; For , still the thirty them reuiue againe , And yet these thirty eu'ry Month doe die ; Yet eu'ry Month they liue immortally ! Thus , by a Yeare ( which euermore doth raise Twelue months ( like sons ) and each month thirty dayes ) Time turnes o'er All , and All doth ouer-turne , Till in the later day himselfe shall burne ; And then Eternitie shall take his Roome , In which is nothing past , nor yet to come ; Wherein the subiect of my Song still is A glorious Angell in the height of Blisse ! Atheist , stand farre from this her sacred shrine : For , thou art foe to all that is diuine : Thou dost beleeue where ere her Corpes consumes , There perisheth her soule , which ne'er assumes The same againe : but ( ô her flesh shall rise ( As doth her fame ) aboue both death and skies . And why shoudlest thou the Resurrection doubt , When Clouds of Proofes so compasse it about ? Some write that Swallowes drown'd are in the Deepe , In Winter ; and , in Summer , rise from sleepe , The Fly in Winter , dyes ; in Summer , liues ; And , being drown'd , warme Ashes her reuiues . The Vrchin of the Sea , in pieces rent , Re-water'd , ioynes , and liues incontenent ! Each Graine that rots before the same doth spring Is a true figure of this reall thing . Each Plant , which in the Winter ( seeming ) dyes , And springs in Summer , shewes men , dead , shall rise . Say a man famisht , into Aire were past , Yet Aire shall yeeld what it receiues at last As well as Earth , and Seas shall yeeld their dead ; Though on them ( vanisht ) Wormes or Fish haue ●ed . At first , they gaue , what they did not receiue ; Then , what they take , shall they not rather giue ? He that , but with a Word , made Man of nought , Can he not raise him , dead , now he is ought ? If no : his Arme wants wonted pow'r , and length ; Or else wants knowledge to imploy his strength . But in th' Almighty none of th●se appeare , That knew our smallest Portions ere they were . If Nothing were the point from whence did rise Creation , it may be the Point likewise Of Resurrection ; but it Something is That shall be rais'd : the easier then is this . Say Men eate Men , through some hard exigent , And them conuerted haue to nutriment , Yet shall their Excrement ( how ere vnmeete ) At last yeeld vp their Relickes pure as sweet ! For , at that Day each man shall put on fresh Flesh of his owne , and not anothers flesh . And though he fed of others , that shall be Restor'd the owner , be it he or she . And Beasts of prey , that oft on Men doe feed , Doe die ; and of them Flies or Wormes doe breed . Those Flies and Wormes are often food for Fish , And they againe come often to our dish ; All this may be : and so a Man may goe Through Beasts , Fish , Fowle , and Vermine too and fro , And neuer rest , though he be dead , till he From that base Progresse lastly raised be . Yet he that w●ll knew All ere ought was made , Knowes where what ere created is , doth vade ; And , can , but with a thought re-gather it ; And make it in the proper figure knit ! For , if t' were worthy Gods Creation erst , To make Man subiect to a fall at first ; It 's farre more worthy for his powrefull hand To raise him , dead , eternally to stand : For , Death is but a sleepe : and as a Man Can wake Men , sleeping : so , th' Almightie can , Raise vp the dead so much more easily As matchlesse Pow'r doth passe Infirmitie . If Heau'n be iust , and there be Prouidence ; Then we shall rise when we are falne from hence : For , if the good , in this Life , finde but Woes , And no Ioy in the next , most curst are those . Nay , most bruit Beasts more happie are than they Who here doe most of all Watch , fast and pray . The Rod of Moses turned to a Snake , Shewes God of one thing , can another make . And shall he not ( so , faile vs in our trust ) Restore man to himselfe , when he is dust ? O Heaueus fore-fend , we should once so conceiue ; For , God can neither alter nor deceiue ! Our Bodies are his seede ; Church-yards and Graues Are all his Seed-plots , where his Seede he saues By sowing to corrupt , to rise againe Most incorrupt ; and so , by losse , to gaine . In the Cadauer , some haue thought some Bon● Retaines the Seede of Resurrection ; Which kept from rotting by th' Almighties force , Should raise , at last , the Worme-consumed Corse ! Some say , that in the Teeth that Seede doth lie , Sith Earth , Aire , Fire them hardly putrifie . But we beleeue this Seed ( and doe not doubt ) Is not within the Body , but without : For , when the Trumpe shall sound , the dead shal peep Out of their graues , as newly wakt from sleepe . By that great Pow'r that , there , asleepe them laid : Then in that Pow'r that Seede is solely staid . But , some doe say , our Bodies cannot rise From Earth to Heau'n , for that aboue the Skies No nasty Body can remaine ; because Such to the Center Nature euer drawes . Fond men ! they know not , then our Flesh shall be Not chang'd in Substance , but in Qualitie . Our Bodies shall be Heau'nly ; so they shall Agree with any place Celestiall . Our blessed Sauiours Body , once like ours , ( Saue that it could not sinne ) those heau'nly Tow'rs ; Doe now enwall : then ; in that Heau'n of blisse , Why , by his Pow'r , may ours not stay with his ? That Water hangs in th' Aire who doth not know ? And by the Load-stone heauy Iron doth so . If Nature can doe this ; what can perswade Gods Pow'r is lesse then Natures , which he made ? No , no , his Pow'r , that doth all pow'r comprise , Can flesh refine , t' inhabite ( so ) the Skies ! By which high Pow'r and his diuinest Grace There rests my Saint , as in her proper place . Her Soule there rests ; and in those heauenly Bowres Her Body shall , when it shall rise with ours . Which while ( too short a while ) it soiourn'd here , It did celestiall to all Eyes appeare . Then , may a little mending make it fit For Heau'n , that was so heau'nly out of it ! Thou wast ( rare Maide ) aliue , s' Angelicall , That , dead , thy dust is Metaphisicall . If some shall muse why I contemplate Thee Among his Praises that most praisefull be , Let if suffice them , t' was of purpose done , To praise thee , Starre , for light had of this Sunne , Within the Volume that includes his praise ( That nought includes ) so his in thine to raise : As when we laud the light the Sunne doth giue We praise the Giuer in the Gift ; and striue ( When most we praise the Taker ) to renowne The Giuers praise , for gracing so his owne : So , and none otherwise , I praise the Grace Appearing in the Soule , Limbes , Eyes , and Face Of Natures Maister-piece this goodly Maide ; Of whom all good , can neuer ill be said . If so much heau'nly Grace , and Gifts of Nature ( As Vertue , Beautie , rarest Forme and Stature ) Should not be grac'd by them they good ; then I May say , the better'd are the worse thereby : For , still th' ungratefull for a Benefit , ( Though bound ) are free from Honestie and Wit. And though the vertuous , for their Vertues sake , Looke not for praise ; but striue it to forsake , ( To keepe them humble ) yet each vertuous Wit Should honour Vertue for selfe-benefit . And sith Posteritie doth light receiue To runne to Honor by the Lines we leaue From Vertue drawne ; we should be drawing still The Lines that ( drawing ) lead vp Honors Hill. The Highest Pow'r and Grace , by oath , hath vow'd To honour them ( among the multitude Of Men and Angels ) that are good ; then she That was so good , of both must honour'd be ! Celestiall Maide , if from the heau'nly Spheare , What Mortals doe , thou canst or see , or heare , Be not displeas'd that my vntutor'd Penne Should teach thy praise , to teach all Maides and Men The way to Honor : nor , that in its Mouth ( That oft doth fable ) it should take this Truth . I was thy Teacher , though ( vnworthy ) I Might ( old ) learne of thee ( young ) to liue and die . Yet sith it is th' Oblation of my zeale , Which I doe offer for the Common-weale In thy deare Memory ; thou wilt ( I hope ) Acquite me from Presumption ; sith my scope Was but thy glory , and the Peoples good , Which in great light , goe right in likelihood . I must confesse a Priest of Phebus , late , Vpon like Text so well did meditate , That with a sinlesse Enuy I doe runne In his Soules Progresse , till it all be DONNE . But , he hath got the start in setting forth Before me , in the Trauell of that WORTH : And me out-gone in Knowledge eu'ry way Of the Soules Progresse to her finall stay . But his sweet Saint did vsher mine therein ; ( Most blest in that ) so , he must needs beginne ; And read vpon the rude Anatomy Of this dead World ; that , now , doth putrifie . Yet greater Will , to this great Enterprise ( Which in great Matters solely doth suffice ) He cannot bring than I : nor , can ( much lesse ) Renowne more Worth than is in WORTHINES ! Such were they both : for , such a worthy PAIRE ( Of louely vertuous Maides , as good as faeire ) Selfe - Worthinesse can scarse produce , sith they Liu'd like Celestiall Spirits , immur'd in Clay ! And if all-powerfull Loue can All performe , That in it hath rare Matter , or like Forme , Then should my Lines haue both so'accomplished , As from the Graue to Heauen should draw the Dead : Or , with h●r Taper-pointed-beaming Name , Naile her to Heau'n , and in Heau'n clench the same ! Hold Muse , no more : ( thou hast too large a scope , To proue thy Pinnions : for , the Heau'nly Coape Infolds no more ) and take thy leaue anon Of Her thou ne'er shalt leaue to muse vpon . Thou maist be tir'd ; but ne'er canst flye about The Inside of her praise , much lesse the out . Then stouping here , with reuerence , griefe and loue , Bid her adue ; and , with that bidding , moue Thy selfe to teares ; but , if thou canst not so , Shew thy selfe willing by the dryest woe : For , neuer had I greater cause of griefe ; Sith while she liu'd , I ioy'd , in painefull life : But now , am left all solitary-sad To waile her death , whose life made Sorrow glad ! O! had it pleas'd the Heau'ns , by their Decree , T' haue made my Pupill learn'd t' haue dide of mee , ( And mine example ) I had beene at rest , And she liue blessed long , to dye as blest . I , like a wither'd Pine , no fruit produce ; Of whom there is no Care , no hope , no vse . I burden but the Earth , and keepe a place Of one ( perhaps ) that should haue greater grace : Opprest with Cares that quite crush out the Sappe That feeds my Life ; now throwne off Natures Lappe . I solely sit , and tell the saddest houres , That euer yet impeached vitall powres . Obscur'd by Fate , yet made a Marke by fame ; Whereat fooles , often , shoote their Bolts , in game . Yet , liue as buried ( that I learn'd of thee Deare Pupill ) while the World goes ouer mee . Praying for patience still to vnder-ly The heauie waight of this Worlds iniurie . Oft haue I beene enbozomed by Lords ; But all the warmth I found there , was but Words . And though I scarse did moue , yet scarse they would There let me lie , though there I lay acold ; But , as I had some biting Vermine bin , Out must I , mou'd I but for warmth therein . Or els so lie , as I were better out ; Sith there I lay as dead , yet liu'd in doubt : In doubt I should haue nothing but a place In th' outward Roome but of their Idle Grace . In doubt black mouths should blot me in their Bookes That make few Schollers ; and in doubt my Hookes Would hold no longer to hang on ( ô Griefe ! ) This hanging's worse then hanging of a Theefe ! An Halter loone abridgeth bale and breath ; But hanging on mens sleeues , is double death . To hang in hope of that which doubt doth stay Is worse then hanging till the later-DAY . Doubt stayes that meede that merit hopes for , oft , Lest Meede should but make Merit looke aloft ; Or , quite leaue working , sith it hath no neede ; Therefore the great doe still with-hold this Meede : For , to them selues they say ; If we should fill The well-deseruing-empty ( working still ) They would but rest : than , well wee 'l them intreat Yet keepe them hungry still to worke for meat . Fate , but to State this priuiledge affords ; And but the meane , without meanes , worke for words . Yet worke they must , sith Aire the great doe giue : For , if they haue their hate they cannot liue . Their Loue doth little boote ; but ô their breath Blowes downe , in hate , a poore Relict to death . These miseries I ranne through , and did trye These deare Conclusions but in miserie ; Hoping for that which but my hopes deceiu'd ; And me of hope and life , almost , bereau'd . Till I ( to stand ) from these was faine to fall To serue two Lords that serue me , now , withall : The one immortall , th' other mortall is : Who serue my turne for what my life doth misse Which , for it 's still amisse , still misseth that Which makes men gracious , and ( so ) fortunate : But he , who knowes all , knowes ( perhaps ) it's best For me to liue with little , in vnrest : For , neuer since I first could moue , had I A better life than those that ( liuing ) dye . I neuer yet possest one day of ioy That was not lin'd or hem'd with some annoy . The Kingly Preacher in his weale found woe ; But I in thwarts , for those alone I know . These made me old in youth : for , Sol had runne Scarse thirty yeeres before my dayes were done ; And to his course ere fiue more added were , Blacke Daies ( like Nights ) in gray had dide my Haire . Yet neuer Crosse on me so sad did sit As this deare losse ; whereof this benefit To me acrewes , that ( now ) each pressing woe Stands farre without this , and this keepes them so . I say I greatly grieue ; yet seeme to faine : For , great griefes neuer greatly could complaine : That is , when Sorrowes floud the Banckes doth fill , It noiselesse runnes , and smoothly glideth still : But if the Current once the Brimmes get o'er , T will roughly runne ; or , stopt , will rage and rore . But , ô , that tyrant Time will silence me Before my griefes are vtter'd as they be : Farewell then , my griefes Cause , who wast th' effect Of all the ioy my life did well elect : Farewell , in Him , on whom who sares is well ; And , while I liue , I le be the leading-Bell That shall thy lowdest Peales of prayses ring Which in the Clouds shall ne'er leaue ecchoing ! Or , be the Trumpet of thy Fame to fill Th' Aetheriall Lofts with Straines more lofty still ! That when Times wings his Funerall flame consumes Thy Fame shall soare with faire vnsinged Plumes ! An Epitaph on the death of the right vertuous Lady Liegh ; sole Daughter of the same right Honourable , Lord Elesmere , Lord Chancellor of England : which Lady deceased the third day of Aprill , Anno Dom. 1612. HEre dead shee lies ; who while aliue she was , was Graces Inne ; Wits Home , and Vertues Rest : Whose WORTH was of true Worthinesse a Masse : yet well proportion'd for her humble Brest . A Wise and Mother ! as it 's hard to say , whose losse was great'st , her childrens , or her phoares : To eyther wisely kinde ; to each a stay ; that made one , loue ; the other , loue and feare . To her all-honour'd Sire , she was as deare , as she was vertuous ; which was as the bloud In his Hearts Center ; which to him is neare ; yet dearer held his flesh in one so good ! Who dide ( as liue she did ) in grace and peace , more laden with good-deeds then idle-dayes : Leauing her worth ( for worthinesse increase ) for Wiues vnborne , to imitate and praise . Who had at once , two Husbands ; yet she liu'd of Wisely truth a constant Paragon : One Husband heauenly was ; who hath depriu'd the Earthly of her , for himselfe alone . Yet , yer he had her , bought her with his Bloud : But , with her , bought a World of Womanhood ! Then , maugre Time , & Death these Lines , tho weake , May leade all Times all good of her to speake ! Here Muse , now close the Paper-tombes of these Two vertuous Soules , and Bodyes ; Aunt and Neece . with this , A good Name is better then a good Ointment : and the day of death , then the day that one is borne . Eccles. 7.3 . The Picture of an happy Man. HOw blest is he ( though euer crost ) that can all Crosses Blessings make ; That findes himselfe ere he be lost ; and , lose that found for Vertues sake . Yea , blest is he in life and death , that feares not Death , nor loues this Life ; That sets his Will his Wit beneath ; and hath continuall peace in strife . That striueth but with fraile-Desire ; desiring nothing that is ill ; That rules his Soule by Reasons Squire ; and workes by Wisedomes Compasse still . That nought obserues , but what preserues his minde and body from offence : That neyther Courts nor Seasons serues : and learnes without experience . That hath a Name as free from blot as Vertues Brow ; or , as his life Is from the least suspect or spot , although he liues without a Wife . That doth ( in spight of all debate ) possesse his Soule in Patience ; And pray , in loue for all that hate ; and hate but what doth giue Offence . Whose Soule is like a Sea , too still , that rests , though mou'd ; yet , mou'd ( at least ) With loue and hate of good and ill , to whaft the Minde the more to Rest. That singly doth , and doubles not ; but is the same he seemes ; and is Still , simply so , and yet no Sot ; but yet not knowing ought amisse . That neuer Sinne concealed keepes ; but shewes the same to God , or moe ; Then euer for it sighes and weepes ; and ioyes , in Soule , for grieuing so . That , by himselfe , doth others mete ; and , of himselfe , still meekely deemes ; That neuer sate in Scorners Seate ; but , as himselfe , the worst esteemes . That loues his body for his Soule ; Soule , for his Minde ; his Minde for God ; God , for himselfe ; and doth controule CONTENT , if It with him be odde . That to his Soule , his Sense subdues ; his Soule , to Reas'n ; and Reas'n to Faith : That Vice in Vertues shape eschewes ; and both , by Wisedome , rightly waigt'h . That rests in action , acting nought but what is good in deed and shew ; That seekes but God within his thought , and thinkes but God to loue and know . That all vnseene , sees All , ( like Him ) and makes good vse of what he sees ; That notes the tracts and trickes of Time , and flees with th' one , the other flees . That liues too low for Enuies lookes ; and yet too high for loth'd Contempt ; Who makes his Friends Good-men , and Bookes , and nought without them doth attempt . That liues as dying ; liuing yet in death , for life he hath in hope : As far from State , as sinne , and debt ; of happie life the meanes and scope . That feares no frownes , nor cares for fawnes of Fortunes fauorits , or foes , That neither checkes with Kings , nor Pawnes ; and yet still winnes what Checkers lose . That euer liues a light to All , ( though oft obscured ) like the Sunne : And though his Fortunes be but small , yet Fortune doth not seeke nor shunne . That neuer lookes but grace to finde ; " nor seekes for knowledge to be knowne : That makes a Kingdome of his Minde , wherein , with God , he raignes alone . This Man is great with little state , Lord of the World Epitomiz'd : Who , with staid Front , out-faceth Fate ; and , being emptie , is suffic'd : Or , is suffic'd with little ; sith ( at least ) He makes his Conscience a continuall Feast . This Life is but Death . THogh Fire by warmth cheers life ; great heat brings death ; though good Aire life detaines ; bad , life defines : Though Water stayes our thirst , it stops our breath ; though fruitfull Earth doth feede ; the barren , pines . Too-much o'er-fils ; too-little , feebles life : Wealth wants not Cares ; & Want , wants all but Cares : Solenesse , brings sadnesse ; Company , but strife ; and sodaine Ioyes doe kill , as well as feares . Meane mirth , is rationall ; extreame , is mad ; no good so good , but here it 's mixt with ill : Nay , too much goodnesse is exceeding bad ; yea , bad , if blinde it be , is true Good-will : And , saue the High'st , our highest gaine is losse ; Then , life 's but death where al things are so crosse . True Wealth . THat Grace that neyther wonders , grieues , nor ioyes at Fortunes vtmost , seeking but to finde What Bounty ( still in action ) best imployes ; nor wailes the want that beggers not the Minde : That neyther , grieuing , sighes ; nor , ioying , sings : that shines most glorious , in most gloomy dayes ; Pleas'd with the state her owne endeuour brings ; that droupes not with defame ; nor swels with praise : That scornes Disdaine , disdaining nought but vice ; and Greatnesse rates by Goodnesse : doing nought But good for ill ; and that for auarice of goodnesse onely ; by her onely sought : That Time and Wealth well spent , doth not deplore : This is that Wealth , without which Wealth is poore . An Angel-like Man. HE which ( prouokt ) endures , as borne to beare ; and lookes alike in greatest weale and woe ; That so loues good , that ill he nought doth feare ; and ebbes in Minde when Fortunes most doe slow . That bounds Desire with lesse than he enioyes : ( for , onely nothing's lesse then Nature needes ) That holds all Vertues deare ; all else but toyes ; and , meekely , scowres Prides rust , from his bright deeds . That 's better than hee seemes , yet seemes the best : but , without scandall , seekes to seeme the worst : That , quell'd with Crosses , thinkes him highly blest ; and , for the Blisse of all , would dye accurst : In summe : that would doe all that All should do For loue of All : this Man 's an Angell too . A sicke Mindes Potion for all in Tribulation in Body : or for the sauing of their Soule . THou that dost ioy or grieue beneath the waight of his deare Crosse , who dide on 't for thy sake , View and reuiew these Lines with more delight then Patients doe the Potions which they take : How ere they sense displease , they wholesome be ; so wholesome , as they often whole doe make : So may this Potion worke the like in thee : My Muse desires to make it griefe expell ; And , all shee seekes , is but to take it well . Yet this I doe as oft the sicke doe talke of Health ; not for they haue , but would haue it ; So , I exhort to Patience , though I balke her Way ; and onely wish the same to hit : Yet , as a sicke Physitian soone may finde a Potion for anothers Passion fit : So may a sicke Minde cure a sicker Minde : No Mind more sicke then mine ; yet well I know What 's good for Mindes so ill ; and , that I show . The Soule that sins , vnplagu'd , wilde quickly growes , as Trees vnprun'd ; and , but sowre fruit produce ; The heau'nly Planter then , no cost bestowes , but it abandons as vnfit for vse . Why weep'st thou then , sad soule ? what thou endur'st a blessing is , no beating for abuse : Or , if it be , sith it thy selfe procur'st , Thy patient bearing this thy Sourge ( or Crosse ) Doth make it score lesse ; nay , thy Score doth crosse Regard not then thine anguish , in the Rod ; but , in thy Fathers Will what place thou hast : If thou wilt share the pleasures of thy God , then , of his Cup thou must , with pleasure , taste . The Oxe assign'd for slaughter well is fed , and lies at ease ; while others labour fast , And still are yokt , tyr'd , prickt , and punished . " Not all that stroke are friends , nor foes that strike ; " but strokes that maime from eyther , we mislike . The Wounds , a friend doth giue , are sweeter farre than suger'dst Kisses of a fraudfull foe : The first , oft make ; the last , more often marre ; for , Surgions Bands doe pinch , to solder so : Who bindes the Mad , or wakes the Lethargicke , how ere he seemes , thereby , t' awake their woe ; Yet , he to both's a friendly Empericke . " Seueritie is Mercy oftentimes , " And Mildnesse cruell , that increaseth Crimes . To weane vs from this World , an vnkinde Nurse , God ( onely good and wise ) annoints her Teates With Gall of troubles , spights , and what is worse ; and as a Mother well her Childe entreates ; But makes her Seruants vse it ill ; that so finding of all , saue her , but blowes and threates , It may to her , the much more willing , goe : So , God permits that All should vs molest , That we may flye to Him , and loue him best . The flatt'rings of the World , the Flesh , the Fiend , are but the kisses of worst Enemies ; And though the Fiend to Heau'n seemes to ascend , like Ioues owne Bird that nestles in the Skies ; Yet is he but a greedy Bird that towres to Heau'n , while on the Earth he nearely pryes , To watch his Prey , whereon forthwith he poures : For , he but seemes in Vertue to excell ; And flyes to Heau'n , to beare his Prey to Hell. Out of close-Prison , and much closer Chaines many doe trauell ; but , their Iourneyes end An endlesse Kingdome is ; whose greatest Paines are endlesse Ioyes ; these sincke , but to ascend , Vnlike the Fiend that mounts , to fall more low ; and , ruine that , on which he doth descend ; But , low these stoupe , to shunne an Ouer-throw : " To beare high Sailes in Tempests , is to haue " Our Keele turn'd vp with eu'ry Gust and Waue . If Crosses heauie be ; ô yet ( at least ) they make the Soule as sober as discreet : If we be fellowes of our Lords vnrest , we shall be of his rest and comforts sweete : He wounds ; but h●s are wounds but of a Friend , that in no fortune once from vs will fleete ; And lanceth but ●o cure , and make vs mend : " I● is a Payne , that 's free from all annoy , " To die with torment still to liue in ioy . He that had seene iust Ioseph in his Chaynes ; in Sackcloth Mordocheus ( his Iyb●t nie ) Susanna going to her mortall Paines , would haue bewail'd their infortunitie : But , had he knowne that Ioseph should be rid from Giues to Rule ; ●nd Mardochs ieopardy Conclude in Honor , as Sasannaes did , He would haue though them blest in great mishap , sith so great Comfort was the after-clap . So much the Fiend shall tempt , when thou dost doat ▪ as shall enforce ●hy minde to minde her m●sse : If Christ we serue , Affliction is our Coa●e ; his Crosse , our Badge , to make vs knowne for his : His nakednesse , how we should cloath vs , shewes ; his Gall , how we should feed on Agonies : B'his hanging on the Crosse , how to repose : And by his Death ( wherein all paines were ri●e ) How to esteeme the pleasures of this life . Worlds - weale's our woe ; and yet we will not see 't : young Toby walkt securely in the Mire : But at the Riuer when he washt his Feete , a Fish was like to swallow him entire . He that , on paine of life , must watch the Foe , wakes best when he is neer'st Afflictions fire ; But , on the Bed of ease he doth not so : In this Worlds hell , if ease be good for ought , It 's Poësie ; yet too much makes it nought . Besides , the better minde , the worse is tempted : Pirats to charge the emptie Ship , forbeare , But richly laden , and from feare exempted , they charge it home , and giue it cause of feare : Euen so the Fiend , while we are void of Grace , le ts not our Voyage , but our Helme doth steare : But when we take in truest Goods apace , With Stormes of troubles then he seekes to reaue Vs of our fraight ; and , o'er Bourd vs to heaue . Of Ioseph , Beniamin was loued best ; in his Sacke , therefore , Iosephs Cup was found : So doth the Cup Christ dranke of , euer rest with those to whom his loue doth still abound : On Beds of Roses lyes Lasciuiousnesse , which Vertue hates , sith she corrupts the sound ; But Vertue liues , too oft ; in all distresse : For , she respects not Fortune ; nor disdaines To lie with those , that often lye in Chaines . When God had praised Iob , the Fiend straight praid that he might proue him with Affliction : And when the heau'nly Voyce , of Christ , had said ; This is my deare , and wel-beloued Sonne , He , in the Desert , was , soone after , tride . " They finde most Lets that most aright doe runne ; " And they left Rubs that most doe runne aside : " But , straight to runne , dispight each spightfull Let , " Doth Glory gaine , while Shame the rest doe get . When holy Dauid did his People count , a great Mortalitie his Coasts did scowre : But when Augustus did this Sinne surmount , taxing the World ( by his vsurped Pow'r ) He ne'er was with least Punishment annoid : So , Ionas , fly'ing , a Whale did him deuoure , While Pagan-Passengers a Calme enioy'd : But , though the Whale did Ionas ( so ) enioy , He swallow'd , but to saue , and not destroy . And as a Scarre a Sonne takes in the Face in his Sires quarrell , though the Face it marres ; Yet it procures the Fathers loue and grace , and so gets glory by such gracelesse scarres : So , God desirous more to haue vs kinde than comely Children , thrusts vs in his Warres , As we were but to fire and sword assign'd : He takes more pleasure in the great'st annoyes We haue for him , then in our ghostly ioyes . Each Danger , for our Mistresse , vnder-tane , seemes most secure ; and pleasant , deadli'st paine : The Wounds both for & from her ( though but bane ) seeme honied-sweet ; and losse , for her , is gaine : The colours that she likes ; we most doe loue : her words , meere Oracles ; her spot , no staine ; Her actions , Patternes , ours to shape and proue : All her perfections past Superlatiues ; And imperfections , least Diminutiues . And shall we doe and thinke all this , and more , but for a shade of Beautie ; and endure Nothing for Beauties Substance ? nor adore the CREATOR but in the Creäture ? O! t is a shame that Reas'n should be so mad in men of minde : for loue ( if it be true ) Will most affect what 's rarest to be had . " The Obiect of true Loue is greatest GOOD ; " If lesse she loues , it ill is vnderstood . With our Soules Eye , if Christ , our peace be view'd ▪ true loue shall see a Soule-afflicting sight ; His head with bloud ( that thornes do broach ) imbrude ; his Eares , with Blasphemies ; his Eyes , with Spight : His Mouth , with gall ; his Members all , with wounds ; his Heart , with griefe ; and all in all vnright : Yea , so vnright , as Iustice quite confounds : Yet , mans Ingratitude doth griue him more Then all these Plagues , as manifold as sore . And , ô , for whom doth he the same endure ? for Man , begot in filth ; in darkenesse , form'd ; With throwes , brought forth ; & brought forth most vnpure , whose child-hood's but a dreame , with pains enorm'd , His youth , but rage ; his man-hood , ceaselesse fight ; his Age , meere sicknesse , all his life vnsure : And , worst of all , his death is full of fright . This , this is he , for whom Heau'ns God endures All shame and paine , that paine and shame procures . W' are no where safe , where we may fall to sinne ; in Heau'n , nor Paradise ; with men much lesse : In Heau'n fell Angels ; Paradise within , the first man fell , throgh whom , all men transgresse : In the World Iudas , from his Lord did fall : so no place can defend from Wretchednesse , But he that place confines , and holds vp All : For who from worse to better fals , he may From better fall to worse , without his stay . If Crosses trauerse not our Comforts , then we ought to crosse our selues as many did That were Men Angel-like ; or , Gods with men ; who hardly liu'd , in Dens and Deserts hid : Fed little , and slept lesse ; in Sacke-cloth clad ; to minde them that to mourne they here were bid ; So , chose fo●d , place and suite as suites the sad : To sing in Babilon , being Abrahams Seede , Is to forget our Bondage and our Creede . Heau'n is our natiue Home , our Canaan ; Earth's but the shade of Death , or vale of Teares : Then mirth in place of moaue , but kils a man : at point of Death hee 's mad that Musicke neares : Therefore those Saints , ( discreete , sad , ●ob●r Soules ) reiected all that Sense to Life ende●r●s ; And liue ( as buried quicke in ●aues ) lik● Mo●es . " I● Weapons l●s●e doe w●und th●n s●arpe●t praise , " Les●e hu●ts lamenting , then the Syrens ●ayes . And as Men longing , at Noone-day , to see the Lamps of Heau'n , descend into a Well As deepe as darke ▪ that so their sight may be the more contracted , smallest Stars to tell : So , pious m●n , that faine would fixe their Eyes , still on the Stars ( the Saints in Heauen that dwell ) Descend ( in Earth ) to low'st Obscurities : " For , to a louing Soule all labour 's sweet " That tends ( although in Hell ) her Loue to meet . Low is our Way ; but , our Home most sublime : if home we wou●d , th●n this low Way is best , Which yet , growes steepe ●omewhere , and hard to climbe ; yet , Loue o'ercomes it , & eternall Rest : Vaine pleasures are like Gold throwne in our Way ; and , while to gather it , we stoupe , at least , It let 's vs , and our Iudgements doth betray : But if on Heau'n our mindes be altogether , Nothing shall let our Bodyes going thither . Which way goe you saith Christ to those that stray ? I am the WAY ▪ and whither will you wend ? I am the TRVTH : or else where will you stay ? I am the LIFE : that is , your Iournyes end . Now if this Way doe lead o'er steepes and plaines , If this Truth teach vs , rising , to descend , If this Life be not got but with our paines , Then , wo to them that laugh , sith weepe should al ; And blessed they that weepe ; for , laugh they shall . We should be , therefore , like th' Egytian Dogs , that drinke of Nilus running , lest they should By staying much , to drinke like greedy Hogs , the Crocodile might haue them , so , in hold : Nature doth teach them , reas'nlesse , what to doe : then , shall not grace worke much more manifold With humane Creatures , that diuine are too ? It should : then , we are mad , or reason lacke , to quench our thirst of hauing with our wracke . What is 't to haue much more than Nature needes ; but , to haue more then Nature well can beare : Like one that 's deadly drunke , or ouer-feedes , whose excesse makes his Death excessiue cheare ! Enough , then , should be better then a feast , sith more is mortall , howsoeuer deare ; For , Nature cannot well so much digest . " Much lesse then little ( onely ) makes her grutch ; " Enough maintaines her better than too much . Besides ; in vs , Sinne is more odious growne , then in the Diuell : for , his was but one sinne : Ours , numberlesse : his , yer Reuenge was knowne ; ours , when we knew it ; and might fauor winne : In Innocence created , sinned he ; but we , when to 't we had restored bin : In malice he , of God forsooke ; but we when GOD recall'd vs to his sauing - Grace : He damn'd , we sau'd : yet were in worser Case ▪ For we were sau'd in possibilitie ; but he condemn'd ; so , could not saued be : He sinn'd gainst one that him did straitly tye ; but we ( worse f●ends ) gainst one that made vs free : Against one he , that doom'd him second-death ; but , we gainst one that dide for vs : so , he Sinn'd lesse than we ; which Hope quite banisheth , Did not the time we liue in , stirre vs ( thrals ) To call for Grace , that comes , if griefe but cals . He that of Sinne , doth know the large extent and Hell of Hels the Soule incurres thereby , Shall little feele his Bodyes punishment , though he , in life , a thousand d●athes should dye : Which borne with Patience , for his Sauiours loue , quite abrogate his pass'd impietie : And future sinnes and paines from him , doth shoue : " Immortall paines , extreame in qualitie , " Annihilate all mortals quantitie ! Our Faith , in the beginning , thinne was sowne in the afflicti'on , shame , and death of Christ : And then with Martyrs Bloud t' was ouer-flowne ; nor , can it grow ( or prosper ) to the high'st Without showres , ceaslesse , gushing from their wounds : then , what art thou , that soone thy Faith deni'st For feare of death , that but thy Iudge confounds ▪ O! I am he , the frail'st of flesh and bloud , That liues for ill , and feares to die for good ! Yet for Christ t' is more glory to be crost , then of him to be crown'd an earthly King : The last may be , by chance or Treason , lost : but , from the Crosse , immortall Crownes doe spring : To be in glory may proceede of Grace without the glorifide his meriting : But well-borne Crosses alter ( quite ) the case . " Vertue consists in doing hardest things ; " And , vicious Fooles haue too too oft beene Kings . Who suffers straight , hath but one victorie ; but , he that alwayes doth encounter paine , And yet o'er-throwes the strong'st Extremitie , is crowned eu'ry day , and still shall raigne : And what is Death but our best earthly friend , which kils our Flesh , our deadliest enemy ? So , friendly is both to and in the end . Then Crauen , why doe I so flye his force , That saues me when he makes my corps a corse ! For , if the pining of the body be the pampring of the Soule ; than , must this friend , ( That , with his paines makes vertuous Soules to flye where they are pamper'd without meane or end ) Be still embrac'd , no● fled : but , ô fraile flesh this dying doctrine doth but thee offend , That hold'st it most erronious , fond , and fresh : Thou canst not poise these treasures of the Sp'rit ; for , they are waighty and , thou art too light ! Thou must haue all that may thy Senses charme with sweete , as most effeminate , delights ; And fly'st from Death to honied pleasures swarme ; yea , follow'st them in their vnconstant flights : Austeritie , nor canst , nor wilt thou brooke , sith it quite mortifies thy liuely sp'rits ; And , for thy life , still put'st thee to thy Booke : But , thou dost long for all that makes thee light , As well within , as ( gawdy still ) in sight . Mean while thou burn'st to nought with flames of sin : for , as the Lightnings flash , although it spares The painted sheath , it melts the Blade within ; ( which is the thing more worthy ) so it fares With sinnes pernitious fire-flash : for , it leaues the goods and body sound : but , vnawares , The Soule , more pretious , it of life bereaues : " But , who to spare a Thing of nought , will spend " Gods Goape ( his Soule ) hee 's mad , & cannot mend Many ( though Princes ) poore , are in their store ; in Honors , abiect ; malecontent , in mirth : Their flesh , selfe - frailtie ; their spirits , basely poore ; their Soule 's the sinck● of all the sinnes on Earth ; The Moths of Man-kinde sores of Sou'raigntie ; vnhappily-happie in their base-high Birth ; Who liue like Monsters , and like Diuels dye : " The rich , possesse ; the meeke , the Earth enioy : " For they haue most , that haue the lest annoy . Looke in the Graues , suruey the Emperours , Kings , Dukes , and Worthies of the Ages past ; Then looke on those whom life and death obscures ; ( poore Beggers ) tell me then , who 's first , who last ; Who rich , who poore , who faire , foule , high , or low : but , if thou canst when burnt be diuers Woods , Their Ashes well distinguish ; then , maist thou distinguish of their bodyes , states , and blouds . Then wherefore waigh we so our Flesh ( misled ) That 's light as vanitie aliue , and dead ? And life , at best , is but a golden sleepe , lin'd but with siluer , or more earthly dreames ; Or else a Tragedie ( that moues to weepe ) of ceaselesse troubles , and most dire Extreames ; A passing but from life is life ; for , still in stay'ing , it goes ; yet vnlike Water-streames , That , running , stay alike , by Natures skill : Streames , running , rest the same , and not the same ; But , still vnlike , doth burne our vitall-flame . Things future , are beginning endlesly ; Things present , euer ending ; and Things past Quite dead or done : for , while we liue , w● dye ; and , dead , we liue : so life is first and last : Then , better dye to life , than liue to death ; for , mortall-life ( in Death ) but time doth waste : And Death doth gaine of ●ime he shorteneth : Who , for our good , our bodyes still assailes ; And frees our Soules by ruining their Iayles . It is but Natures necessary wracke : then let vs make it voluntarie , that Is necessary ; and still bowe our Backe vnder the burden of our common state With all alacritie ; and giue to God his owne ; which were most damn'd to alienate , Sith he , of Dolor● , paid for it , his lode . Then , it were Sacriledge not to restore That which he made & lent , and bought , and more ▪ Death 's dreadfull but to those that know him not ; to those that know him well , hee is not so : The Old , before their faces him haue got ; the young , behinde ; while he doth all o'erthrow ▪ Acquaintance with the Warres , estrangeth feare ; they dread not waues at Sea , though high they goe , that vs'd are to them , ( though they all orebeare ) And with them fight in front , or in the reare : Then , not to feare Death , is with him to be Familiar made ; and , bring Sense vnder lee . The Pilot , while he is his Ship to guide , sits at the Stearne ; for , there he most preuailes : And , so the vertuous ( maugre winde and Tyde ) when through this stormy Sea of life he sailes , Sits at the Stearne ; that is , lifes hinder-piece ; where he , in Tempests ( bearing lowest Sailes ) Conducts it safely to the Port of Peace : " To beare high sailes , and still forbeare the helme , " Is Ship , and Fraight ( so ) quite to ouer-whelme . Death is the doore , whereby we must goe out of straitest Bonds to freest Libertie ; Then as the Pris'ner that of Death doth doubt , yet waites the while for his deliuery , Most ioyes in sitting at the Prison dore , that , when it 's op'ned , he may instantly Get out , t' enioy his freedome , as before : So should our Thoughts be fixt on lifes last steppe , To which we soone may iump , but not o'er-leape ▪ Thoughts mortifide the ashes are , wherein the fire of Vertue , being rak'd vp close , The longer lasts , and greater heate doth winne , to kindle courage in our cold dispose , That when Death comes , and those shall be vnrak't we may reioyce our flame so freely goes Vnto her Spheare ; then should it not be slack't In Chimney of our flesh , where it doth lye , Like to be quencht with our iniquitie . And , as a floud that from a mountaines top , doth ( rowling ) run , with strange ▪ as ceaslesse , noise ; And ouer many cr●ggy ▪ Le ts doth hop , till in the Val● beneath , it rest enioyes : So , fares it with our life ; which we beginne with ceaslesse out-cryes , for our felt annoyes ; Then downe Times houres we run , through lets & sin , Till in the end we rest in vale of Death , To which we blow our selues by spending breath . Then Death 's our rest ▪ for , since the same hath past through lifes pure Veynes , or rather Lords of life , Of the least bittern●sse it hath no taste ; but , freshest sweetnesse therein still is rife ▪ It is the vertuous peacefull Paradise ; but , to the vicious , t is a World of strife : For , nought is plagu'd in Death , but mortall Vice : Then he may well be stil'd a Martyrs Peere , That vertuous Death doth rather seeke than feare . Death to a Thiefs's compar'd ; who , if he findes the Man , he meanes to rob , vpon his guard , He speakes him faire ; else him he bindes and blindes : so , Death is kinde to those for him prepar'd : But , curst to them , that , carelesse , spend their breath : for , all that watch for him , he doth reward With endlesse Life ; the rest , with double death : But , they that dye for Vertue or good note , Though he o'er-throw them , yet they cut his throate ! And why should his worst looke more irke , or feare a Man resolu'd that he can dye but once : Goliah bought a little Stone as deare as Sampson did the House that chrusht his bones : And , from a Chaire to fall , the Necke can breake as well as falling high , as Thunder-stones ▪ And , all is but one Death , ( bee ●t strong or weake ) Deaths sharpest sting , the Heart but enters in , Which dyes with that , and so t' will with a pinne . Why grudge we then , t' endure for endlesse life that , for vaine-glory , freely we endure ? Repine we not to dye in damned strife , and , grudge to dye to make our life secure ? Is Death so sweete , when it the Diu'll commands ; and when God wils it , is the same to sow'r ? What manhood 's this , whereon ▪ now , manhood stands ? O ougly valor ( if it valor be ) To flee to death ; yet , fearing , life to flee . Liue well , and , so , dye well , perhaps , we may ; but liue still , and not dye , we neuer can : Life is not short , that , soone , goes well away ; and , longest life Truth calleth but a spanne : He dyeth old ( though young ) that well doth die : and Life well lost is better then ill wanne ; For , so to winne we lose eternally : Then , what can counteruaile eternall losse ? Nothing that is ; no Patience beares that crosse . If we for vertue doe our life forgoe our Pitcher's broken o'er the fountaine-head , From whence , what fill'd it , came ; and , where doth flow the Aqua vitae , that reuiues the dead : Our liquor is not lost , but runne into the proper Fount , by Nature thither lead , And heau'nly Grace assisting Nature too : Our life 's a war , where patience guards from losse : Our Captaine , Christ ; our Standard is his Crosse ! But , seemes God long , thy labours to content ; the more forborne , the more will be thy meede : He takes on Intrest what before he lent : and , takes delight t'o'er-guerdon each good-deed : If in our Vs'ry , then , we wish delay ; feare we the Lord of All should fall to neede , That , on his Bond , we dare not giue him Day ? And , shall we trust a Merchant , that may breake ; More than that King , of whom all Kings do seeke ? Admit thou should'st be rackt to straine the Truth , ( though Racks are made the truth to gaine not strain ) Yet , if thou her beleeue , let ne'er thy mouth deny it for the cracking of a veyne ▪ We owe so much to Truth ▪ as should we pay the reall debt , to vs should nought remaine ; No , not our liues , which must , for her , away : For , God and Truth are Relatiues . Not so : For , God is Truth ; then , for him All must goe . If Truth-pretending Turkes or Infidels should on our Plagues , which we for her endure , Triumph ; and make our Paines so many Hels , alas ▪ ( poore Soules ! ) they ( so ) doe but procure Their owne perdition : for , that God we serue is God of vengeance ; and the same will poure On Good-pretenders that so ill deserue ▪ " To be for truth reprocht ; yea , p●agu'd , or slaine , " Is to be glorious , free from Death and paine . The red-hot It'n into the Water throwne , thunders therein , as if it did it harme , Yet , so , the force of burning's ouer-throwne ; the while the Water , cold before , is warme : Like Thundrings Tyrants vse , in eu'ry Age , who , though against the Truth themselues they arme ; And with the bloud of Martyrs quench their Rage , Yet all their triumph 's nothing but the noise Of their owne quenching , and the Martyrs Ioyes , Then , if they shew vs Honors , Gold , or Iemmes , t' intice vs to their Faith ; they shall but shew The Lion Chaffe , which ( chasing ) he contemnes : and if with Torments then , they vs pursue ; The Salamander they but threat with fire ; which makes her rather to reioyce then rue : So , that the worst they can doe , we desire : Then , through the Red-sea of our bloud , thus shed , Vnto Heau'ns Holy-Land we soon'st are led . Saints on the Earth resemble Babes dead borne ; that are no sooner borne , but borne they be Vnto their graues ; so , straight to Ashes turne : but Tyrants ( Viper-like ) doe liue to ●ee Their own Confusion ; and the death of those which they haue martyr'd : so , from death , made free ; And , manumiz'd from this Worlds mortall woes . The first , are borne to dye , to liue in ioy ; The last , to liue , to dye in all annoy . When Theeues an house doe breake , to rob by night ; ( sith t is a Worke of darknesse ) first , they will ( That they may not be knowne ) put out the light ; and so the good are handled by the ill Lights of the World the Good are said to be ; but bad-men ( Sonnes of darknesse ) put out still Those lights , lest men their darkest deedes should see ; For , all that euill doe , the Light doe lothe : So , loue they darknesse ; and , doe darkly both . Vnto the light it 's no reproch at all though Bats and Owles abhorre it ; nor , is it Disgrace to Wisedome , if but Ideots shall condemne the same for Polly : they want Wit : To iudge of Wisedome , which is too too bright for men to looke on that in darknesse sit ; To iudge of coulors , blinde-men haue no light : The fault 's not in the coulors they are so ; But in their Eyes that can no coulors know . Farre sweeter are the Teares of them that mourne , then is their laughter that in mirth are lost : All crosses by the vertuous so are borne , that most they ioy in that which grieueth most : Like Roses mong the Thornes , their pleasures are most sweete , when as they are most sharply crost ; And , being at the worst , they best doe fare ! But , put the least crosse on a sensuall Soule , And t wil ( blaspheming ) grudge , nay , cry , & houle . The greater Oxe the yokes worst part doth beare , ( that is , the heauiest ) Christ ( that is , thy God ) Thy yokes most heauy part with thee doth weare , that so thou maist , with him , the lighter plod Through thicke and thinne : for him thou canst not do that he did for thee ; hee feeles the Rod , Yet he doth all in vs , and for vs too : " Mates in afflictions , make Affliction lesse : Then , if Christ beare , with vs , nought can oppresse ! This life is but a lye ; true life 's not here ; it seemes , but is not : so , it is not true : Than , for a lie , or what doth false appeare , let vs not lie to God , or breake our vow We made in Baptisme ; but to cleaue to him , although for it , it might ( perhaps ) ensue That we to him , in our owne Bloud should swimme ▪ That water 's strong ; it will not let vs sincke , And , to engrosse sure Deedes , the onely Inck● ! The life of Dauid was but Teares and moane ; but Salomon● was ioy and Mirth through-out : Yet Dauid ( sure ) is sau'd : but , Salomon whether he be , or no , Beleeuers doubt . Poore Lazarus liu'd here in dying-plight : Diues in all that reueld with the Rowt Of honied Pleasures , and extreame delight : But he that liu'd in death , in ioy now liues ; And he that ioy'd in life , in death now grieues . As sweetest Wine doth soonest boile our bloud : so , this Worlds fauour workes vs most annoy : The Water of Detraction then , is good to mingle with it , lest we should be coy : For , being gratious in the great Ones sight : when Cunning clawing makes vs doate , with ioy , W' are best remembred by the tongue of Spight : " So , foes do oft make those , that friends doe marre ; " As many liue most warily in Warre . He that should passe a Foord , that swift doth glide , ( so to preuent his giddinesse of Braine ) Should fixe his sight vpon the further side ; not on the Water , and himselfe sustaine By one more strong , that , as his guide , should goe , lest that the Current , running so amaine , Should ouer-whelme him by an Ouer-throw : Then , rest on Christ , and fixe thine Eyes on blesse ▪ while thou go'st through all Torrents of distresse . Through fire and water we must passe , before we can arriue where nothing can distresse : Our flesh in both should purg'd be more and more ; for , in the p●r'st it's full of filthinesse In double kinde : and , makes cleane Soules the while ●o lothe their Lodge , so full of slut●ishnesse , Consorted with all vices that defile : " Pride , Enuy , Wrath , Lust , Hate , with all amisse , " The Speci●s are , and Flesh the Genus is . For , flesh is earth ; so , in our soules it sets foule thoughts : ( as earthly , as voluptuous ) The World as vaine as c●rious thoughts begets ; the Fiend , malitious thoughts and enuious : Who on the flesh for help doth much rely , sith houshold enemies may soonest hurt , She being here freedeniz'd specially ; and we in bondage toiling here in durt : Then , doth the World relye vpon the Diuell To make flesh loue the World : and , so , all euill ▪ So these procure vs Worlds of Enemies : if Auarice be quail'd ; Lust , seconds her : If Lust be foil'd ; Ambition straight doth rise : If she be downe ; then Anger wageth Warre : If it be cool'd , Pride , Enuy and the like giue fresh encounters in this mortall Iarre ; And all , with all their might , our ruine seeke : Then , where the fight 's so fell and ceaslesse too , Wert not for grace , most would themselues misdo . Then , if we waigh our flesh how fraile it is , how full of all disease , in life , how dead ! In Death , how foule ! ( as nought so foule as this ) how then can we be light with so much Lead ? Or how can we be pleas'd such filth to feede as in our Nature naturally is bred ; And , whence so many Prodigies proceede ? Then if we may be ridde from such annoy , But with one death , it is the life of Ioy ▪ And what is Honor but a lie , like life ? for , as a Ship at Sea , with swelling Sailes , By windes , that for her peace are still at strife , dauncing vpon the Waues with merry Gales Allureth eu'ry Eye her pride to praise : but when to th' Hauen she comes with her auailes , Shee 's by the Searcher sackt , or Custome paies : So they , in life ▪ that are most honored , Are often most dishonour'd being dead . And likewise , while some saile on Surges high of puft-vp vanities ; and still ensue The Tyde of Times , arm'd with Authoritie , are prais'd , and follow'd of the worldly Crue : But if , by grace , they doe themselues withdraw into a vertuous life : then , straight their due Is search'd or sackt , by Custome , or by Law : O th●n how blest are they that most are curst ( For their so blest retiring ) of the worst . The Libard beares to man such mortall hate , that in his face he flyes when him he sees : Therefore they vse a man to figurate , and shew i● him , at which forthwith he flees , And piece-meale teares it ; so , his wrath t' asswage . shewing thereby how ill with man he'agrees : So Sathan and his Members being too weake To teare our God , to spoile his Pictures seeke . As Grapes vnto the Wine-presse all doe come , that come to Vertue in Faiths outward House : They shall be crusht with many an heauy doome of Iustice n●m'd , but most iniurious : But , though their Pressures squize out all their bloud , yet in Gods Seller shall it finde a Roome , And there made Rose of Sollace , sweete and good : Then , let vs still be prest so prest to be ; For , running loose , we soone runne to our lee . The more huge Billowes beate vpon a Rocke , the more they breake ; and so , to froth are turn'd ; The while the breaker seemes their spight to mocke , that hurt themselues , not him , that so they spurn'd : So , let the spightfull spurne vs while they will ▪ our Rocke stands sure ; while they are ouerturn'd , Whose blowes , for vs , Christ beares , or breaketh still ! So , hurt themselues they may , but neuer vs ; Sith still , in him , we are victorious . Yet t is too true , some wise and wicked too ( if possible the wi●ked may be wise ) May , if a King will doe what they bid doe , vndoe a Realme with Legall Tyrannies ; And all the guilt thereof shall still be gilt with guilefull glosse of Conscience , most precise ; Till all be as they would , though all be spilt : " For , that 's but spilt that stands but on the fall " Of sacred Vertue , that vpholdeth all . To carry Pagan hearts in Christian breasts , is no new thing , though many ( new ) doe vse it : " On fair'st pretence the foulest purpose rests : yet Beautie 's good ; but foulely some abuse it : The heart of man so many windings hath , that for a Maze of skill none can refuse it ; Sith hard it is to turne to eu'ry path . O Christ ! wert thou on Earth as once thou wert , How would'st thou , now , behypocrit mans hart ? Such faire pretences we may well compare t'Egyptian Temples ; faire , but most prophane : Garnisht with Gold , and Columnes , rich as rare , in th' outward Roomes : but , if a view be tane Of th' inward , where their God is still confinde , some lothed Viper , full of deadly Bane , Or Snake or Cockatrice , we there shall finde : So , in such faire Pretence we ( often ) see The Diuell himselfe , as GOD , ador'd to be . With Christs plain Coate to hide vice ( which enormes ) is to disgrace the Owner : or it is The Diuels vertue , that himselfe transformes t'an Angell bright , to doe the more amisse : But , eu'ry Age hath groan'd with this Disease ; yet neuer Age , for that , was eas'd of this , Groane while we will , it will vs still displease : Then make w'a vertue of necessitie ; And , what we needs must beare , beare willingly . For , these ; and like afflictions , still must proue , and purge our manners from the drosse of blame ; From Earth to weane , to God t' increase our Loue ; like Smithes Forge-water that augments the flame : And , pleasure is most pleasant vnto those , that haue beene least acquainted with the same ; As heauenly Ioyes are after earthly woes : And , Griefes grow senselesse in a vertuous Will , Or rather sensuall ; for , they rauish still ! If in our foote , much more if in our Head , a thorne be thrust , our Heart , nay , Soule will grieue : Then flye we pleasures , as they vs haue sled ; and rather wish for paines that ease might giue : Then sith our HEAD is thorned ouer all , if we his Members be , shall we be fed With honied pleasures while he tastes but Gall ? God shield we should : then let vs onely ioy In his sowre-sweetest Crosse , and his annoy . Moses did see him in the midst of fire , and fiery Thornes : and in the mount among Lightnings and Thundrings : Daniel did aspire , to see his Throne , which fiery wheeles did throng : Then shall we looke for more Prerogatiue , than had these friends of God ? then him we wrong T' expect what he , in Iustice , cannot giue : For , we must see him as the others did ; Else may we seeke him , but he will be hid . For , as the Sires delight to haue their Sonnes resemble them in fauour : so it ioyes Our heauenly Sire , to see vs ( wayward Ones ) like him , in patient bearing all Annoyes , Which , for our good , his grace on vs inflicts : for , when we bea●e what beautie quite destroyes , ( The wemmes and wounds of all his sore conflicts ) In his faire Eyes we are most louely , then ; And foul'st , when fair'st but in the Eyes of men . We see a Dogge , that but with crusts we feede , will in our quarrell fight while he can moue : And Seruants which we hire for little Meede , will ne'erthelesse die often for our loue : Then shall we Christians be lesse kinde then Beasts ▪ or thankfull lesse , than those we hire for neede To him that giues vs all that Faith requests ? O no : no , no , it were too great a blame The dignitie of Manhood so to shame ! The Flow'r of Iesse did most sweetly smell , and came to perfect growth vpon the Crosse : The fruit of life could not be gather'd well without sharpe Thornes that stooke vnto it close : And Gall was tasted , in a deadly fit , by the best Taster ; who , by his lifes losse , Wanne Life to all that dye in him , and it ; And , till he rose from Death , he did not eate The Hony-combe ; but , fed on sower meate , The Waters of Affliction are the streames whereat our heau'nly Gedeon still doth try Who are ●it Souldiers for his Warres Extreames ; and seu●rs such as on their Bellies lie , To drinke as thirsting that they , full , may rise ; from those that , for their mee●e necessi●ie , Reach out their Hands to take what doth suffice : " Great Wealth and Vertue no agreement haue , " Sith Vertue makes it serue her as a Slaue . Though Prisons , of themselues , be Sathans folds , wherein , for slaughter , his best Sheepe he keepes : Yet may the Cause make them the safest Holds , ( yea , Heau'ns of Saints ) for , tho the Linnet peepes ( When shee 's encag'd ) at eu'ry loope and Chincke , as longing to be gone , and often weepes That shee 's restrain'd ; yea , leaues her meat & drinke ; Yet in the Cage she is from danger sure Of Fowlers Snares , and Kites that would deuoure . But those in Patience that their Soules possesse , ( while they , in bonds , doe Tyrants wrath asswage ) The sweeter sing , the sowrer their distresse , like well-taught Lynnets vsed to the Cage , There learne they sweeter Notes than Nature gaue , when they abroad were in their Pilgrimage ; New exercise of Vertue , there th●y haue : Where may we sing with Quires of Angels then , More free , then when most fast from mortal men ? Then out of Prison goe we , when we be put into Prison , so the cause be good : For , Libertie is but Captiuitie ; that ( lightly ) makes more loose fraile flesh & bloud ; Kings Courts ; yea , Heau'n it self must yeeld , with awe , t' a Prisons glory ( though defil'd with Mud ) That keepes Gods Seruants safely for his Law. " A Princes Presence makes a Cote a Court ; " And , that Pris'n's Heau'n , where Saints & Angels sport . The Coriander-seede , in pieces cut , each piece brings forth as much as all would doe : And so a Martyr into Prison put , and there first b●uiz'd , then , cut in pieces too , No drop of bloud , no piece ( though turn'd to mould ) but it hath force the Diuell to vndoe ; And workes more ( often ) then the Owner could : For , if in priuate Iarres effused Gore For vengeance cries ; his can doe that , and more ! Of all parts of a Tree the Roote seemes worst : for , it 's deform'd , and most offends the sight : Yet , all trees vertue thence proceedeth first , stemme , branch , & leaues , flow'rs , fruit ; yea , life , & might The Roote alone may challenge as her owne : for , by the same they are both borne and nurst , Which in the Roote ( as in the wombe ) was sowne : So some like Rootes , be'ing ragged in the Eye , Dying for Christ , makes Christians multiplie . Some Trees there are , that , if their Rinde be rent , cut , prickt , or braiz'd , a precious Balme it bleeds , In sight and sauour faire and redolent : but neither yeelds , till outward it proceedes : So , Martyrs when their Flesh is gasht or torne , out flowes the Balme that cures their own misdeeds , And others heales , that ( so ) to Vertue turne : This balme's so sweet that it the World perfumes , Whereby the Pagan Christs sweet Name assumes . The Roses sweetnesse , if vntoucht it be , soone with the leaues doth wither quite away ; But by the Fire when it is still'd , we see it yeeld sweet Iuyce that hardly will decay : Nay , more ; the Leaues so bak'd into a Cake , doe long make sweet both where they lye , or lay ; And all that neighbors them , most sweet doe make : The leaues , so parcht , delighting still the Nose , Immortall makes the Sweetnesse of the Rose . So , Martyrs sweetly liue , with Brambles keene , sith in their conuersation they are pure ; Yet few can see it , sith they liue vnseene : but still from worldly Comforts make them sure , Bolt them , nay , bray or burne them if you will then will their vertue sweetly all allure : And Heau'n and Earth with diuine sauour fill : Had they , by Nature , dide , their leafe nor iuce Had not beene halfe so sweete , nor meet for vse . Darke is the Water in the Airy Clouds , yet that , the Rose and Lilly brings to light , Mantling the Earth with all that Nature shrowds within her bowels yer the Waters light : What are thes● Clouds ( of which the Psalmist sings ) but Clouds of Witnesses ( as blacke as bright ? ) Graue Martyrs that giue Truth true witnessings : Their Bloud the Water : and when out it poures The Time lookes blacke , but Saints spring with the showres . With bloud the Churches Bud came forth at first , as earnest of the fruits she was to beare ; Who was no sooner'spoused vnto Christ , but in their bloud her Infants drowned were , To shew her future throwes in bearing young : your yeers ( sweet Lambs ) could not beleeue nor feare ; But yet your flesh could dye to right Faiths wrong : Thus did the Church as soone as shee was wed , With chastest bloud forgoe her Virgin-hed . Then to our bloud the Gates of Heau'n flye ope ; and , with our bloud Hell-fire's extinguished : Our Bodies bloud doth scowre our Soules like Sope ; and with our bloud our Bodie 's honored : The Diuell shamed , and God glorifide : for when , in Truths defence , the same is shed , It makes our deedes most glorious in it dide : The seed of Vertue , and the bane of Vice Is bloud so shed : " No price to'a bloudy PRICE ! The resurrection of Truth , Faith and Fame , did flowrish most when soakt in Martyrs Bloud : Whose Palms with waight grow higher , & their flame doth waxe more strong , the more it is with-stood : Their Spice , by pounding , yeeldeth sweeter sent , and Le ts to Truth are borne downe with this floud : Which let abroad , doth grow more violent ; And , while it runnes , it rores , and after cryes For vengeance on their Foes , Truths Enemies . With Tyrants Thundrings , Errours Cloud is crackt , th'inclosed light of Truth 's disclosed so ; And showres of bloud ( that then for Truth are wrackt ) makes Martyrs more and more on Earth to grow : For , still their Side by God , himselfe , is backt ; they ( Sampsons ) with their Death , do quell the foe , And most torment him , when they most are rackt : then , good Crosse ( blessed sheep-crooke ) Saints stil keep to Christ , whose Hooke thou art , to catch his Sheepe . For , as a feate Embroderer , that hath a piece of Veluet brackt , t'embroder on , So drawes his Worke , that he , to hide the scath , embroders richliest in that place alone : So ▪ GOD vpon the Veluet of our flesh , all torne in time of Persecution , Couers the Bracks with Beautie faire , as fresh : So , that the other Parts are beautifide By those rent parts , by GOD so glorifide ! And as the Paper-mill , of rotten Raggs tane from the Dung-hill , by still mauling it , Makes so white Paper , as the filthy Iagges may now infold the purest part of Wit , Or purest things that come from Heart , or Hand : so , we by Martyrdome , are made most fit ( How euer base ) in glory still to stand : And made more apt ( diuinely ) to comprise Gods glorious Graces , and his Rarities . Thogh th'vpper heau'n doth turne ( by violent sway ) the lower , out of course , from East to West ; Y●t , of themselues , they wheele the other way : ( for , they , by Nature , turne from West to East ) So , thogh from th' East , where Truth begins to shine , her Foes would force our Faith , or course , at least , To Errors West , where Truth doth still decline ; Yet must we stirre , as Grace and Nature moues Vnto the East , where God our course approues . A Martyr's like a Dye , which though it fall this or that way , it fals no way amisse ; It flat will lye , or cannot lye at all ; so , Martyrs lye with Truth , where ere she is : They will lye leuell with the Earth ; nay , more , In , or aboue it lye , or stand for this ; Hange , burne , or starue , all 's one ; they feele no sore : Then when God throwes at all , with them , to win , At eu'ry throw , he drawes some others in . Abel he cannot be that is not taught true patience by the malice of a Caine : And happy he that like a Cole is caught out of Afflictions fire with God to raigne While he is bright , and glowes with Charitie : for , whether to be white or red , in graine , The Church were best , is vncouth to discry : The Churches flowres the Rose nor Lilly want , But both adorne , and make her triumphant . The martyr'd Body of our Lord and God is the main Rock from whence his Saints are hewne : For , from his flesh they rent are with the Rod ; and by the rentings of the Rod are knowne To be true flesh of his torne Flesh , and so to be his Types , by which him selfe is shewne To Heathen-folke , that him desire to know : " O! t is a glory past the height of FAME , " To be like Christ in suffrings as in name . The antient Romaines vs'd , their force to trye , t' incounter Beares and Lyons ; and the Scarres That came by sauage Tuskes , they valued hye ; and piercings of their Pawes so many Starres : If in vaine-glory they such Dents endur'd ; what should we doe in Christ , our Captaines , Warres , Be'ing of true glory , for our fight , assur'd ? We should ( with Patience arm'd ) encounter death ; And , for that gaine , with torment , lose our breath . Shall Saints feare Men , whom Angels ought to feare ; for , Saints shall iudge the Angels ; and , the F●end Hath cause to feare them ; for , they rule doe beare , ouer his Legions ; yea ▪ his Forces rend : The World should likewise feare them sith the Saints shall , with heau'ns Vmpier , iudge it in the end ; Than hee that at his threates , or torments , faints Can be no Saint ; but must be Iudg'd of them ( A Coward ) to foule shame , and paines extreame . Elias must not feare , nor feare disguize , to let the Mantle of his flesh to fall , To flye in Coach , ●lame-wing'd ; to Paradise : Gedeon must breake his earthly Pots , sith all Their Light 's so seene to put his foes to flight : Ioseph must leaue his Cloake , or else he shall Be mou'd to wrong his Maister in his right : " Life leads to Care ; but , Death to Comfort leads : " Then Death , in Syons cause , in Sion treads . At Sea , decayes the Sailer ; in his Tent , the ventrous S●uldier ; in the Court decayes The vertuous Courtier ; Iustice , in Iudgement ; true Faith , in Friendship ; Skill , in Arts Assaies ; In Manners , Discipline : so , we , alone , ( that , dying , liue in these too nightly dayes ) Vnder the ruines of the World doe grone : All is quite or ●erlesse ; which doth portend The World , with vs , is euen at an end . And ô what should I say , when Courage makes the Cause nor good nor bad ; for , Falshoods Friends Haue dide in Errors cause , at flaming Stakes , as stout as Martyrs in their constant ends ? Witnesse that Legate , sent from Pow'rs beneath , who late in Smith-field , Error so defends , That he out-fac'd Truth , men , flames , dread & death : And Anabaptists there for Error stood , A● stout as those that , for truth , lost their bloud . But , Legate , though thou canst no answere yeeld , yet let me question thee as many doe Question the dead for Error which they held ; tell me , who gaue thy false Faith Courage too , That thou for Error should'st so stoutly burne , for Error that must needs thy Soule vndoe , If , on the Coales from it , shee did not turne ? Can Sathan counterfet our GOD so nye In 's Gifts , that men , for him , should stoutly dye ? But thou might'st answere ; Faith , though false it be , yet , if the Soule perswaded be it's true ? Vpon the Heart it worketh morrally , as Faith doth , which to Heau'nly Truth is due : This made the Priests of Baal their flesh to wound ; and many Indians sense of paine subdue ; Yea , burne with those , whose Faith , th●y hope , was sound : Then not to suffer much ; nor Constancy Proues Error , Truth , which fire 's too cold to trye . Then Truth must trye her selfe by Reas'n and Faith ; but , where Faith bids beleeue , Reas'n still must be Obedient to beleeue what ere she saith ; though she say , Three are One , and One is Three : A Maid's a Mother , that a Man had wiu'd : true God , vnmade , made true Man , really : And that the Dead shall rise , as here they liu'd : All this , and more , of Faith , must Reas'n beleeue ; But God ( the Fount of Reas'n ) this Faith must giue . Death is the worst of Ils , yet best to those that dye for Faith well tryde : and who they be The Conscience of the Dyers neuer knowes , if with the Rules of Faith they disagree : Then God knowes who are his : and Men may know that all are his , his ●reest Spirit doth free From life , by death bee 't violent quicke or slow : A Saint as Man , may seare and faint in death , As Christ did ( dying ) yer he yeelded Breath . Let this Cup passe , was Terrours proper voyce , yet vtter'd by our Sauiours sacred Tongue : Our flesh ( he tooke ) annoi'd , did make that noise , fore-feeling it should be with Torments stunge . My God , my God , why hast forsaken me ? vnto our Flesh intirely did belong ; Then may true Martyrs in Death drouping be With sense of pain ; but God , that gaue them strength To stand to him , through him , preuailes at length . For , t is not hard when Gods soft comforts cheere our Soule to suffer , torments to endure ; But when such fauours are turn'd all to feare , and in distresse of Minde to hold vs sure To God , and for him all annoyes to beare ; that is a Miracle perform'd by Grace , Past Natures best performance ; and is deere Vnto the Doner ; then , who doth the same Goes straight to glory through Afflictions flame● For , Works of Iustice we should rather doe than those of Grace : now Iustice wils that we In Truths defence should dye , with torment too , though Grace , to vs , a stranger seeme to be : " Obedience farre excelleth Sacrifice ; the first , is duty , in the high'st degree ; The other , in our Wils Deuotion lies ; Then courage in our Death is no true Signe Of life else-where , without the Cause diuine . For , through Vaine-glory some in Death haue seem'd as brauely resolute , as Saints haue bin : Nay , oft the first haue beene the better deem'd by outward-sight , that seeth nought within : Leaena being but a Curtezan● tyring her Tortures , though she dide for sinne , Spat out her Tongue , that to accuse beganne : And many more , of like sure , so haue dide : Then , by braue dy'ing , plain Truth 's not iustifide . But dye they how they can that dye for Truth , they stoutly dye , sith they dye willingly ; But much more they that dye in sportfull youth ; & though Deaths ougliest face may daunt their eye When they behold him ; yet , if they endure that feare , and paine , which after they must try , They stoutly dye , though saint be all their pow'r ; Nay , more they doe , sith they so little can ; " Flesh is but mire , the Minde doth make the Man. But see what ends the Tyrants erst haue made , that of Gods Saints made ceaselesse Butchery : Nero , the chiefe , that first did them inuade , in his owne bloud his murdring hands did dye , And while he bled his last , he ( crying ) said ; Foulely I liu'd , and dye more filthily : Thus , for his paines , in paining , he was paide : Domitian , by his Seruants being slaine , For doing like , the like reward did gaine . Fell Maximinus , with his Sonnes , was brought to selfe same issue : Decius , with his Frye , Incurr'd the like : Valerianus , caught by him that swaid the Persian Monarchy , Was cag'd in Iron , more fast then Lyons are , who , in the end , being flaid , dide wretchedly ; But Dioclesian worst of all did fare : For , he fell mad ; ●o , made himselfe away , While fire from Heau'n his House did leuell lay . So of the like , in life , and their Degrees , I● might count many dire and awfull deaths ; All dranke Gods vengeance Vials to the lees : & , in their bloud o'erwhelm'd , they lost their breaths For , God vnstings such angry Waspes and Bees , sith each their Stings in Saints too often sheathes : " God burnes his Rods when he hath paid his fees : Yet Stings of spight , in th' Head of Pow'r , with wit , Can sting the World to death , if Heau'n permit . But howsoe'r th' Almighty throwes his Rods into the fire , when he his Ire doth cease ; Yet , oft the scurged fall to greater ods with Goodnesse , than before : The Churches peace Makes her more loose then when shee 's bound to fight ( vncessantly ) with foes that her disease ; " For , they liue wrong that rest to much in Right , " Mettall ( though Siluer ) resting long vnscowr'd , " Will canker ; or , with filth , be quite obscur'd . For ( ah ) this Witch ( the World ) with pleasing charmes so lullabies our Sense in soft delights , That though we be , vpon our guard , in armes , yet we are taken in our Appetites ; And made to serue the Diuell , and our Flesh in strictest Bondage ; while their Parasits , Sinne-soothing Pleasures , doe our Sense refresh , To serue them with the more alacritie ; So , ●lee le ts Grace our Sense to mortifie . A Parable . Wee ' are like a Man chast by a raged Bull , who in his flight into a Well do●h fall ; And , in the fall ( by chance ) he lighteth full vpon a Tree , that there growes in the Wall : And , resting there , there sets his Soules delight : but looking better on the place , withall , He spies two Mice , one blacke , the other White , Who still the Roote of this his rest doe gnaw , And more and more asunder it doe saw . Then , vnderneath he lookes , and there espies a gaping Dragon threatning to deuoure him : And at his feete foure striuing Serpents rise ; yet , looking vp , he spies ( what doth allure him ; And makes him deeme , he is from dangers free ) a little Honie ( which he euer tryes ) Cleaues to a branch of that vntrusty Tree : For which , these dangers he neglects ; and still That Hony sicks , yet ne'er can licke his fill . The Morall . The Bull , is Death ; the World , the Well ; the Tree , our time of life ; the white Mowse and the blacke , The Day and night : the striuing Adders be the Elements , that striue vs still to wracke : The Diuell , the Dragon : and , the Honie is our whitest Pleasures , that are lin'd with blacke ; And , blacke within , for losse of Glories Blisse : Who , therefore , would not deeme that man were mad That in such dreadfull dangers can be glad ? What comfort can we haue then , in a place that 's by the Prince of darknesse gouerned ? Where eu'ry thing is in a cursed case ; and , by Gods foes and good-mens , peopled : Where Paines be ri●e , extreame , and infinite ; but Pleasures few , and false , fraile , dull , and dead , Which , at the best , at least , doe vexe the sp'rit : Where Plentie's full of perill ; Want , of woes ; And ( in a word ) where all , that ill is , flowes . Then , cast we off these pleasures , that but cast a mist before our Eyes , and mocke our Sense : But let vs hugge those paines , and hold them fast , that bring eternall ioyes for recompence : Now , if this Potion worke not in sicke-mindes , at point of death is their Intelligence ; Nay , Death the pow'r of all their forces bindes : In few : Great things by greatest mindes are sought : The small but seeke for shades , the shels of Nought . To attaine a quiet Life . WHo would in quiet spend his life , must shunne the Cause of strifes Effect ; And yet with Vice still liue in strife : so , Strife retaine , and it reiect . 1 Hold no Conceit 'gainst that Conceit the King maintaines ; vnlesse it be Against that Faith , whose forme and waight with TRVTH , well tride , doth still agree . 2 Finde neuer Fault , but when the same concernes the Honor of the High'st : Or else the Kings ; to heare whose blame , is blame which oft to Death is nigh'st . 3 No Wager lay : for , that but stirres the Losers heart to hate and ire ; Which oft enflameth Ciuill-warres : then , giue no Fuell to this Fire . 4 Nor make Comparison : for it is odious ; and , workes like effect : Why should thy Will , t' aduance thy Wit , anothers Wit or Worth deiect . To praise thy selfe , is but Dispraise , vnlesse Spight wrongs thine Honor ( knowne ) If others Shame thy Glory raise , let their Shame raise it , not thine owne : For , t is but Shame , to glory in anothers Shame , because we yet Are free from blot : but Praise we winne by hiding both our praise and it . This is the way to earthly Peace ; Without which growes all strifes encrease . A Cordiall to cheare the Heart vnder the Crosse of Confinement : written to a great Lord , once a perpetuall Prisoner . WHile yet thou lyest in Afflictions fire , more bright to make thee , and increase thy worth , From mine Inuentions Mud , I send this Mire , to cast vpon the flames , if they breake forth . Then , deigne t' accept ( vnhappy-happy Lord ) this Muddy Stuffe , my creeping Muses Meate ; The rather , sith some ease it may afford in plaistring Patience if it scorch with Heate ▪ For , greatest Spirits doe greatest Passion feele in bearing Crosses , though but small they be ; But vnder great , great Men doe weakly reele , though greatest Men from weaknesse should be free . But thou ( to thy true glory be it said ) dost crosse expectance , bearing so thy Crosse , As those that are by Hands of Angels staid ; so , draw'st much winning out of little losse ! For , Libertie to lose , or terrene trash , ( the Minde being free ) is better lost than found ; Which oft , on Waues of Weale , their Owners dash on Rockes vnseene , which eyther part confound . Now be'ing thus staid , thou canst not rise to fall , Fortune hath bruiz'd thee , but on Safeties Base ; That now thou canst no longer be her Ball , to strike thee in Lifes Hazard , for her Chase. Now maist thou sit securely where thou art , and see ( vnseene ) the Worlds Reuoluings still ; And how men liue by industry , or Art ; and what euents ensue the greatest skill . So sitting , bound to Safeties Shore , at ease , thou maist with ioyfull-Sorrow freely see How other Folke are tost on Dangers Seas , as they that beare the highest Sailes still be . Now on the top of some proud Billow borne as high as Heau'n ( while Billow-like they swell ) Then , by a Crosse-Sea is that Billow torne be'ing at the high'st ; so , straight they sincke to Hell. And they that haue the Winde and Tyde at will , each Moment feare the Winde may turne about ; And so their good is neuer free from ill , because their Hopes are euer bound to doubt . But now thy Will ( familiar with thy Crosse , all Stormes of Passions being ouer-blowne ) Hath euer Calmes that neuer threaten Losse , that more then now , thou ne'er didst hold thine owne . Now Mischiefe cannot see thee , though she would looke ne'er so narrowly to glance at thee : For , thou art hid in Brittaines strongest HOLD , where safe thou holdst thy selfe and thy degree . And some that Life immurde , would haue to chose , although , as Monarches , they might all controule : As greatest Charles his Empire did refuse , and shut his Body vp , t' enlarge his Soule . For , that great Priest of Hyppo held but right ; who rather out of Hell his GOD would see , Than be in highest Heau'n , and misse that sight ; then Bondage , with that Sight 's diuinely free ! And long I wish ( great Lord ) thou maist be so ; ( though short I wish thy Troubles ) and that God That hath perhaps t'vplift thee , brought thee low , will make a Staffe of that that was thy Rod. The Hearts of all , in his all-holding HAND , he wields at will , and Patience will requite ; Then , thy Commanders Heart he may command , ( in time ) Sunne-like , to fill thy Moone with light . Then , when thou hast regain'd this Comforts Sunne , thou w●ll maist say ( as some haue said of yore ) " Th' hadst beene vndone , hadst thou not beene vndone sith then thy Moone shines fuller then before . For , eu'n as when the Moone is at the full , she from the Sunne is most remote we see : So , in thy Wane ( perhaps ) this Sunne may pull thee to him neere , to light thy Heart , and thee . That so it may I le pray ; and pray that thou maist Grace attract by vertue of thy Grace ; Meeke Patience can the Heart of Highnesse bowe , and make selfe Wrath to shew a chearefull Face . For , when our liues doe please the Lord of Life , hee 'l make our greatest Foes our greatest Friends : Then shall our Troubles cut the Throate of Strife , and make our peace to make our paines amends . Long life is promis'd those that liue aright , then maist thou all disfauours ouerliue : " Patience o'er-comes what nought o'ercomes by might , eu'n God himself , & makes him to forgiue . But say the worst should hap ( which hap's the best ) that thou shouldst liue and die in state confinde , Thy state 's most blessed , sith so little blest with Freedome , that to Earth enthrals the Minde . Yet Libertie thou hast as large and free as highest Vertue ( Angel-like ) doth craue ; For Men like Angels loue with Christ to be in 's blo●dy-sweat alone , or in his Graue . And , if that fellowes in Affliction make affliction lesse , thou hast thy fellow - Peeres In worser plight , whom Death did eu'n forsake , that they might liue with thee to ease thy Cares . " A good-mans state scornes Pitie howsoe'er : for , though it be engulph'd in deep'st distresse , Yet his high Vertue him aloft doth reare , that no Calamitie can him oppresse . And though he be coupt vp in Little-ease , his spacious Minde to him a Kingdome is ; Wherein he wanders Worlds that most doe please● for , Heau'n and Earth holds that great Mind of his ! While in his Conscience Theater is plaid the Comedie twixt his Soules Spouse and her , How can his Soule but wander all vnstaid through worlds of ioy , although he cannot stirre ! When as a Caesar ( in all libertie ) bathing in Pleasures , or more sanguine Streames , Vpon the Racke of Conscience bound , doth dye extreamest Deaths , in midst of Sports extreames ! O didst thou know some poore spirits Rauishments , vvhen as ( entranc'd ) they feele vnbounded Blisse , Crownes thou wouldst lothe , as crossing those contents , and let the Crosse quite breake thy Backe for this ! It is not ; no , it is not high estate hath highest Pleasure ; but it 's onely those , That , for those Pleasures , fading pleasures hate : " but they in Hell , no other Heau'n suppose . While outward Comforts compasse vs about in Griefes pursuite , we to those Comforts flye ; But when they breake the King , we straight run out , to finde more sixed ioyes , or ( ioylesse ) dye . Then is that sowre Affliction highly blest that more Perfection brings ( like Ligatures , That hurt to heale , and wring but for our rest so , they are blest whom Wals from wracke immures We Pris'ners are within Heau'ns outward Wals , and are , by Nature , all condemn'd to die ; To Death we must , when Death ( our Heads-man ) cals , some to dye gently ; some , more violently . And though our Prison be as wish we would , and may , perhaps , therein goe where we will , Yet ( like the strucken Fish ) we are in hold ; and are in hold to him that sure will kill . But here 's the ods ; those in close-prison pend , are there with Death much more familiar made ; So that , in fauor , he their griefes doth end for endlesse ioyes and peace which cannot fade ! But , those that ( loosely ) haue the World at will , doe take their swinge , as Fish ( if hang'd ) desire , Till they be tirde with Pleasure , paining still , then gently come to Hand ; so , to the Fire . And see how those that ( care consum'd ) doe climbe at Sternes of State ( still menac'd to be riu'n ) How publicke Toyles engrosse their priuate time , that they can scarse a Moment spare for Heau'n . And publicke Persons ( if they mightie be ) the publicke state , and theirs , they still must eye : So , to their Soules they scarse haue time to s●e ; which , so neglected , oft vnwares doe dye . Then ( noble Lord ) if in thy selfe confinde , thou art most happy thus confinde to be : And sith our Bodyes doe but Iaile our Minde , while we haue Bodyes , we can ne'er be free . Then , if thou weigh'st the volubilitie , of Time or Fauour , Fortune , or this ALL , Thou wilt but lothe their loose vncertaintie : for , hardly Ought doth rise , but soone to fall . Who rul'd this Realme three thousand yeeres agone ? so many rul'd it since , that none doth know . " A Plow-mans bloud , in time , ascends a Throne ; " And Royall Bloud descends vnto the Plow . Yet , that King knowes not from the Cart he came ; much lesse that Carter knowes he came from Kings : " But Times vicissitude is Fortunes game , whose Rest puts vp and downe all eathly Things ! Then if wee looke on Life ; how fraile is that ? resembled to a shadow of a Dreame ; To smoake , t' a thought , to nought , t'I wot not what , farre lesse then nought , that can so much as seeme ! A Grape-seede one , an Haire another spils : some Smoak doth choake ; meer nee●ing some destroy : Some other Choler ; and , some laughter kils : some feare ; & ( which is strange ) some die with ioy ! So that when our last Graine , is running out , no Graine so small but turnes our flesh to dust ; Be we as Giants , strong ; as Lyons , stout ; all 's lesse then nothing , then to nought we must . The Graue ( too like a Ierfe ) doth nought but fill his greedy Panch , & straight out-straines the same : Then fill againe , then straines ; then fill it still , till it all Flesh consumes that Nature frames . One rots therein to giue another place ; a second to a third , and so , forth on : Till Earth yeeld vp her dead ; and she embrace , her funerall flame to lea●e Corruption . Then , sith that Life and Flesh so soone decay , why should our flesh with life be long in loue ? This world is but an Inne ; this Life , a Way ; ( a wrackfull way ) that Wisedome lothes to proue . Which hath , of yore , made Kings to quit their Crowne● the lighter , so , the Way of life to runne : Directed , by the Crosse ( o'er Dales and Downes ) in priuate Pathes , the publike Toyles to shunne . We ( like to Fooles or Babes ) for Bables long , wherewith we hurt oursel●es and others oft ; Yet straight we whyne if they from vs be wroong , our Natures , towards Folly , are so soft . But our all-wise-celestiall-louing Sire takes , or keepes from his Children which he loues , All that may harme them , though they it desire , but giues , though it displease them , what behoues . Some long for State , and what is that but strife , more full of trouble , then it is of State ; ( With dangers mixt ) a simple Hell of life ; which none doe loue , but those that rest doe hate ? Some loue to beare the most imbrued Swords before the Maiestie of Victory ; And what are they but Butchers made of Lords , that ( like fiends ) Lord it o'er Calamitie ? Some hidden Artes doe openly desire and seeke for knowledge onely to be knowne ; But knowledge such , is light but of Hell-fire , to see ( with Eue ) such Prides confusion . Some fame affect , and for it venter farre , seeking by Sea and Land the same finde ; " But Fame most followes those that flee from her ; and , oft who meets her , she o'erthrowes with wind . In summe● both all and some ( ô strangest Case ! ) haue hurtfull humours ; which ( if not restrain'd By him that is the Lord of pow'r , and Grace ) all would to nought , where Grace should ne'er 〈◊〉 gain'd . Then , if our Flesh and Sinne-corrupted Blouds could rightly feele , they well might see th●t Hand That made vs , will not marre vs with his goods ; vnlesse our selues his powerfull Grace with-stand . Our dearest Sense is Sight ; yet if the same offend that Grace , we must pull out our Eyes : Then must we Limbes , of lesse account , vnframe , much more Things lesse , if they against It rise . " The greatest Crosse is neuer to be crost ; " the Way to Heau'n is by the Ports of Hell ; " The Waters most corrupt , that least are tost ; " and their account exceedes , who most excell ! Hee 's rich enough for Vertues choisest friend , that neither needes to flatter , nor to borrow : To lade our Backes with Baggage till they bend ( wandring in stumbling-wayes ) augments our so●row . " Abundance is a Burden to the Soule , and strongest Soules can hardly it abide : For , Men that , being meane , could Pride , controule , be'ing mightie made , are most controul'd by Pride . Nature 's suffiz'd with Nothing , in respect of that our Wolfe-like Appetites require ; And they as Naturals great-men reiect , whose Soules haue not the pow'r of great Desire . " But greatest Men haue not still greatest Grace ; ( ah would they had , then shouldst thou soone be free From thy restraint ) and all desires are base of Greatnesse , that with Goodnesse disagree . I wade too farre ( perhaps ) in Dangers Deepes , that may o'erwhelme the rash , though ne'er so tall ; But Truth 's my Guide ; and , Care my Footing keepes on double Duties Ground , and firme in all ! Yet wot how ill it stands with Policie , to fancy those whom Times disfauour most ; Sith Fancies such , acquire but Ielousie ( if not much worse ) of those that rule the Roste. For , Wise-men shift their Sailes as Winde doth shift , and , but whom Fortune fauours , fauour none : For , if Kings haue with Fortune beene at shrift , they leaue them to their Penance post alone . But I conceiue it a prodigious Sinne , ( like that of Iudas ( Peters I would say ) Who left his Lord when trouble he was in , which ( in effect ) is meerely to betray . I feare not Iustice , sith shee doth command , that we should loue our friends in spight of Fate ; And , to the Alter , with them goe or stand , though we might ( therefore ) be o'erthrowne with hate . Then Iustice warrants me in what I doe ; and I will doe but what selfe-Iustice would : That 's loue my Liege , obey and serue him too ; yet loue that Lord that likes me as I should . Let him haue neuer friend that leaues his friend , in shew of sound affection , in distresse : And let high'st Wit to lowest Hell descend , that weighs ought more then some friends heauines . Let those that waite on Fortune weigh the Times in Scoles of greatest Sculs , I , little i , Doe little weigh the wayes how other climbes , sith I would liue as longing well to dye . Beyond my Birth , hath Fortune beene my foe , she neuer yet so much as smiled on me ; No force , sith I my selfe the better know ; and see the World while me it doth not see . Feare they her frowns , that care but for her fawnes ; I feare , nor care for neyther : ( being white With Cares and Feares ) for my Graue open yawnes to swallow me to saue me , from her spight . Enough ( great Lord ) my Proheme is a Feast , whereat my Muse doth surfet with sowre-sweetes ; Hard to receiue , and harder to digest , where loue and rashnesse , Rime and Reason meetes ; But if they meet with Griefe that meets with thee , I grieue with ioy : for , thou art fast and free . A Dumpe , or Swans-song . ALl in a gloomy shade of Sicamour , that did his leaues extend ( like Shields ) to beare , The Beames of Phebus , darted in his pow'r , at those that vnderneath them shrowded were ) I me reposed , while my Thoughts did range here , there , & eu'ry wher , wher thoghts might roame ; So , by their change at last , my latest change became their Subiect , with my latest Home . And when , with Trauell , they themselues had tyr'd , I likewise tir'd with life ( that stirr'd them ) too , Thus flasht I out , ( with sacred fury fir'd ) and my thoughts Bottome thus did I vndoe . Why long I longer here to liue in death ? for life , if mortall , dyeth all the while : Be'ing but a puffe , but of the weakest Breath ; yet , blowes me ( Weakenesse ) into strong Exile . As soone as borne , was I condemn'd to dye ; since when , Time hath but executed me ; Yet life prolongs in dying misery ; so , yet I am as those that dying be . To him that gaue me life , a death I owe ; which , sith I can , I must , and shall repay : His Powr's as great to take as to bestow ; then will I pay him , though I quite decay . I , dead in Sinne , his onely Sonne he slew , to please his Iustice , and to make me liue : Sith me he bought , I le giue him then his due ; which had , I haue much more then that I giue . Death soone will rid me from this lifes annoyes , ( Annoyes that nought can rid , saue death , from life ) And put me in possession of those Ioyes , that are as farre from end , as free from strife ! And wer 't not madnesse to repine , that I had not had life when Eue did Adam wiue ? Then , t is but all alike to liue , and dye ; as t is , Not to haue liu'd , and not to liue . Then , life IS not , that not immortall is ; for , mortall life is but Deaths other name : Nor is that Blisse , that is not fearelesse Blisse ; nor glory , that is subiect still to shame . The Dayes of Heau'n are datelesse ; sith the Sunne that makes them such , doth neither set nor rise ; But stands ( as it shall , doth , and still hath done ) fixt in the Noone-stead of ETERNITIES . Here one 's the ruine of another Day , while ( like a ne'er-suffized Graue ) the Night , Doth bury both in silence ; yet , doth prey vpon them both , till both play least in sight . " Death is the dore of life : so , would I liue ? then , through this dore to life , I needes must goe : For , through this dore Death , LIFE it selfe did driue : then , sith LIFE dide for life , I must doe so . Two onely had the priuiledge to wend another way to life that mortals were , But t was in firy - Charets , to this end , that Fire should flesh refine , yer it came there ▪ There , where all ioyes , vnited , are of force ( for , force vnited , stronger makes the same ) The spirit and flesh ( both rauisht ) to diuorce , and melt their pow'rs in loues eternall flame . What Lets shall let me then , from Paradise ? Mountaines of Gold , and Rockes of rarest stone , Crossing my Way , I ( trampling ) will dispise , if thither Hope but goe with me alone . This WORLD 's a Vale that ceaseles teares do spoile ; and make it so a Bog , or lothsome Lake : Then who but Swine ( that pleasure take in Soile ) will here ( if they can choose ) abiding make ? Heau'n is my Home ; the HIGH'ST , my Father is ; his SONNE , my Brother ; Angels , are my Friends : Then while from Them I am , I am amisse ; and , lightly , misse the Meanes to so good Ends. My Body 's but the Prison of my Soule ; which straits her more , the more that Prison's free : Time 's but the Rocke that vp my Life doth rowle ; and Earth the Place where Heau'n spinnes it & me . Here must I fight till Death for endlesse Life ; " The Chariot of my Triumph then , is Death : Then ( as I would be free from endlesse strife ) to mount this Chariot I must spend my Breath . The ground whereon I tread's the ground of Grie●e ; so that each step doth grieue me : for it is A Sanguine-field , that beareth Hurts , in chiefe , crost with sinister-bends ; and All amisse . Then here to bee , amisse is to be borne in Dolors Field , to eu'ry foule Disgrace : O Death then help my Soules house to adorne ; and let thine Armes be mine ; for , lifes are base . Am I not durt and dust ? then , maruell is 't if I , but with a thought , be that or this ? A shadow by some substance , doth subsist : but , all my substance , but a shadow is . The Sunne doth rise and set ; the Moone doth hold a constant course in most vnconstant state : The Earth now quick with heate , then dead with cold , doth shew their plight that It preambulate . Then ô yee Saints ( whose Bellies being rife with Waters both of life and grace ) be yee Pure Aquaducts , by , life , to bring me life from the Well-head , that fill may you and mee . The Graue ( though wide it gape ) dismayes me not , sith t is the Gate of glory , rest , and peace : And though therein my mortall Part must rot , yet thence it springs with much more faire encrease . If the last breath we call our Bodyes death , then may we call the other Breathings deaths ; Sith Life and death doe come and goe with Breath , we haue as many deaths , as we haue breaths . Yet , twixt this life , and that we death doe call ; this ods there is ; while life doth last , we dye : But when Death comes , we die no more ; but shall by dying well , liue well immortally . O then , looke how the Labourer for Night ; the Pilot , for the Port ; and for the Inne The Poast doth long : so doth my tired spright ( by death ) still long for Life , and rest therein . Death is my Hope : than feare not I his knife ; Feare is his Sting ; but , Hope hath puld it out ; The mortall'st Wounds , immortall make my life : then , better dye in Hope , then liue in Doubt . If Death be painfull ; then , is paine sustain'd before , or , at the Article of Death : But not before : for then , but thought is pain'd ; and at the instant it 's but rest of breath . So that in Death , is rest without disease : then Death be kinde , and rest my life in thee : While others , ( that doe cast such summes as these ) these Cyphers summe , decyph'ring thee and mee . And , Cyphers cast lifes Cyphers to , and fro , that I their number ( seene ) may multiply : Take nought from Nought , & nought remaines ; & so , the summe of All is lesse then vanitie . Cyphers ( not Numbers ) call I them , because they runne ( sans number ) roundly to the Graue : At which my Muse , being now arriu'd , shall pau●e ; referring these to those that Science haue To cast vp lifes accompt ; and to fore-cast the stricktnesse of Lifes great accompt at last . ESSAIES . The Foole hath said in his heart , there is no God. Psal. 14.1 . THat GOD IS , no Man euer made a doubt ; if doubt some did , they did it not as Men : For , faithlesse men , by meere sense , GOD finde out : what are these senselesse God-deniers then ? They are not Fiends ; for , they haue humane Soules ; and Fiends confesse , with feare , there is a GOD : Much lesse , not Angels , Beasts , nor Fish , nor Fowles , for , these praise God! What then ? Eu'n their owne Rod. Who doe themselves , tormentingly , confound ; hardning their Hearts ; and , so , plague Sinne by Sinne : Yet ioy in that which doth their Conscience wound : is 't possible such Creatures ere haue bin ? It 's possible , for , such there be , God wot , That know not God , because God knowes them not . No pleasure to the pleasure of the Spirit . TWo Ioyes there are , whereof , the one is not ; of Fl●sh the one , that other of the Spirit : The Spirits ioy is reall , actiue , hot ; but , that of flesh , is vaine , cold , dull and light . How then can they be two , if but one Be ? one is ; but is , but meerely in Conceit : Which in Conceit , is forgde by Fantazie ; and whatsoe'er is forgde , is but deceit . Yet in this meere deceit , most men conceiue most pleasure to consist ; and , it to buy , They most essentiall perfect pleasure ; giue : so , make their Iudgement giue their Sense the lye : For , Sense could neuer tell , by her Receit , That such Ioy Is , that is but in conceit . Vanitie of Vanities , all is but Vanitie . Eccles. 1.2 . A Mortall Eye can see but mortall Things ; and whatsoe'er is mortall , is but vaine : Then all we see is vaine , though Crownes , or Kings ; yet Men will lose themselues , the same to gaine . And yet , thy weene , they winne by so great losse ; ô corrupt Iudgement ! Men made to be lost : Who will all Vices ( hatcht in Hell ) engrosse , them to retaile , to get but Care , with Cost . It 's said , Light gaine doth make an heauy Purse ; but , this light gaine doth make an heauy Heart : To gaine all blessings , with Gods heauie Curse , is too light gaine for such an heauy Thwart : For , who doth purchase All at such a Price , Doth buy but extreame Vanitie with Vice. Fly vaine Pleasures , as Paines intollerable . IF Vanitie be All , and All be vaine , how scapes he from this All , that 's All in All ? It is , because He euer doth remaine , the Cause of Causes metaphisicall . Sith fiends immortall are , not vaine they are : for Vanitie is but the Instrument Wherewith , in sport , they doe this All ensnare , to bring the same to Be as they are bent . And , so , vnbend their being , and , distort the euen Compasse that became their Forme : So Vanitie them backward bends , in sport ; and , Sathan still , in sport , doth them deforme : O then let All that would be bent aright , Beware these sports , that doe distort them quite . To the good , the Worst fals out for the Best . THe Crosse and Crowne , on Earth , our value try ; as Crownes alone , in Heau'n , our vertue crowne : In Earth , if crown'd , we swell in Heart too hie , and , vnder Crosses we lie basely downe . But yet , if Grace doe Nature ouer-sway , and that a Crosse , or Crowne , alike we beare , A pride of Grace , our Nature , will bewray ; so , in our Nature , Sinne , though dead , doth steere . And yet this Pride doth humble vs the more ; for when we mind it , griefe doth vs pursue : So , is our Sore still cured by our Sore ; for , still we heale as we our griefe renew : This , is a Worke of Nature ; that ▪ of Grace ; And this and that , runnes with vs all our Race . To the Lady Anne Glemmam , vpon the death of her noble Father . TO lye downe vnder Crosses , is to lye in our Confusion : for , that 's Cowardize ; And hath no taste of true Humilitie : then , such prostration is an abiect Vice. Nor is 't the Way from Crosses to be free to sinke beneath the Crosse , which weighes the more The more we , vnder it , so , humbled be ; but HEE that bore your Sinnes It stoutly bore . Yet is the Crosse impos'd to humble vs ; nor , is 't remou'd , till we be humble made ; How much more low , so much more glorious ; ( so as the Crosse doth vs not ouer-lade ) Then if we meeke be made , we winne by losse ; And cut a Crowne of Glory from the Crosse. That to sinne finally malitiously , is irremissible . THe oftner Sinne , the more griefe , showes a Saint ; the oftner Sinne , the lesse griefe , notes a Fiend : But to sinne oft , with griefe the Soule doth taint ; and , oft to sinne with Ioy , the Soule doth rend . To sinne , on Hope , is Sinne most full of feare ; to sinne of malice , is the Diuels Sinne : One is , that Christ may greater Burthen beare ; the other , that his Death might still beginne . To sinne , of frailtie is a sinne ; but , weake : to sinne , in strength , the stronger makes the blame : The first , the Reede , Christ bare , hath pow'r to break ; the last , his Thorny Crowne , can scarse vnframe : But , finally , to sinne malitiously , Reede , Crowne , nor Crosse hath pow'r to crucifie ! That mortall Life is a mortall Plague . THis Life , of ours , is call'd Life most amisse ; which may be tearm'd , more truely , lifes disease ; Whose perfect'st Pleasures are oppos'd to Blisse , and , greatest paines grow from her greatest ease . One , hath the Plague , we say , and he will dye , that yet may liue ; then much more may we say , That One hath Life , and Death he cannot flye : for , Life 's a Sicknesse mortall eu'ry way . Doth mortall life , then , bring the mortall'st death ? then , no Disease so mortall as it is : A Plague of Plagues then , is our mortall breath ; yet mortall Men would still be plagu'd with this : Though Life be Plague of Plagues , yet this desire , Is the high'st Plague , whereto no Plagues aspire . Too much Honie breakes the Belly . SWeet honied Life , thinkes one , that Honie draines from bloomes of Helebo●e ( this vaine Worlds-wealth ) Which , though It breakes his Belly , yet his paines seeme , to his Appetite , true Signes of Health . O bewitcht iudgement ! Senses r●ft of Sense ! deeme yee that sweet , that yeelds Eff●cts so sowre ? That spoiles the Will and soiles th' Intelligence ? and Soule and Body , quite , in dung , deuoure ? Yet , those whose Spirits are turn'd to grossest flesh , nay , those whose flesh seemes turn'd to purest sp'rit Are thus bewitcht ; which Sweetes their Sense refresh ; who sting like Waspes , if them they lose by might : If thus they fare by whom the World is led , What meruell though in sweete Sinne It be dead ? The Foole makes a mocke of Sinne. Pro. 14.9 . WHo laughes at Sin ; for Sin can hardly weepe : who ie●ts thereat , is mad , or misbeleeues : Then , sith the World still laughes at Debt so deepe , it showes it madly sinnes ; and neuer grieues . Sinne is a Stinger ; and who feeles it not is mortifide , not to , but in fowle Sinnes : Then , doth the World , in Sinne , but stincke and rot ; for , it feeles not when Sinne ends , or beginne● . If it doe stincke , what Nose can it abide ? if it doe rot , what Eye , or Taste , or Touch Can be content by them it should be tride ? Then onely Hearing heares it without grutch : And that 's because the Dead , in silence , cry Cave to those , that , liuing , are to dye : Then they that loue it , in such lothsome plight , Haue neither Sense , nor Reason , Flesh , nor Spright . The World is in a desperate plight , for which Christ refused to pray . BVt if the World be dead , God owes it not ; for of the liuing , He is God alone : And , if not Gods , it is the Diuels Lot ; which bounded is with the chiefe Corner-STONE . From that Stone vpwards , all to God belongs ; and from it , downewards , all the Diuels is : For , God , being iust , the Diuell neuer wrongs ; but ; lets him haue his due ; as He hath His. Then , to be Gods , is still to rest thereon : but who can rest there , that God doth not stay ? Then , sith the World refus'd this Corner Stone , God , for the World , refused but to pray : O wofull World , how canst thou merry be , That so forsook'st him , that so leaueth thee ? That all Heresies are grounded on the infallible Scriptures erroniously interpreted . EAch Bible-bearing Sectarie will say hee 's in the Truth ; and proues it by her Word : Thus , is the Word of Truth wrencht eu'ry way ; and made a Text that Falshood doth afford . Yet , Truth 's but one , though Falshood's manifold ; and when Truths Saints , with her Word , do conspire To finde her out ; that Truth embrace we should , though we should mount to her in Coach of sire . No Exposition of the Truth is true , but what Truth makes her friends , alone , to make : Who know Her best , and what to Her is due ; but , foo●es , wise in their owne Eyes , both mistake : For many Eagles Eyes haue better sight Then one blinde Bats , that hardly see the light . That the Eye is Sinnnes Burning-glasse , working vpon the Heart and Soule . AS Sinne 's most conuersant with outward Sense ; so is she most familiar with the Eye : For , shee sits in the eyes Concupiscence as in her Throne of greatest Maiestie . From eyes , to eyes , Sinne doth , in triumph , Tilt : ( a firie Serpent , clad in siluer Rayes : ) The end of whose Carr●ere is , where her guilt makes blacke the Soule with Dolor and Dispraise . Heuah first sinn'd : but , ere her Heart , her Eye did Sinne commit ; and all the lustfull Crue Melt in that Sunne , like Yee , vntill they dye : yet , like dead Flies , those Rayes , their liues renue : Then , sith this Sunne exhales such Humours ill , We must with Sorrowes Clouds , eclipse It still . To take is to giue ; for a Gift , Liberty . OVr Mouthes runne o'er with false Superlatiues , in praising him , though bad , that did vs good ; Which are nought else , but true demonstratiues of the Corruption of our basest bloud . For , Pride can giue as much as Charitie : and Tyranny as much as Mercy can : But , who appl●uds or Pride or Tyranny , doe Monsters praise , the Minde doth make the Man. Then shall we take no good gifts of the ●ad ? I say not so : and yet , I say , who will Take Kingdomes of the Diu'll , are worse than mad ; for He doth good to no man , but for ill : Then sith , for Gifts , M●n giue their Libertie , Such Gifts binde Takers oft to villanie . Againe , of the same . ANd yet blinde Iustice sees h●r Sword to sheath , if any offer her a Sheath of Gold ; Nay , high and hardy Hands oft sincke beneath the abiect Gift and Giuer , to vphold . There 's nought more free than gift : yet nought more ties the Hand , that takes them , to the Gi●●rs will : And yet ( ●h woe therefore ) some , god●y-wise , take Gifts , as good : and giue , as gifts were ill . Were I a Diuell , yet were I liberall , ( in this damn'd Age ) I would be seru'd with Saints : For , if I sent bright Angels to them all , they would adore me , maugre all restraints : But , were I GOD , if Gold were not my Friend , Pure Saints , in shew , would lothe me like a Fiend . To him that hath , shall be giuen ; and from him that hath not , shall be taken away , that which it se●mes he hath . Mat. 25 . 2● . HIs Word is Truth , that said , to him that hath , shall still be giuen ; and , from him that lackes Shall be withdrawne that which he holds , with scath ; so , this World makes men , made ; & marr'd men , wracks . Who least doth lacke , hath most bestow'd on him ; for GOD and M●n giue richest gifts to Kings : So , he that doth in all abundance swimme , each Hand to him much more Abundance brings . What meanes this Mysterie so mysticall ! what ! World , begin'st thou now , with Age , to dote , That Thou dost giue some All ; some , nought at all : and , sinck'st some , sincking , to make swimmers flote ? I know now what this meanes ; but , this I know , T is too much to be loth'd , to be too low . Of the Neglect of Arte and Vertue . To mine ingenious , deere , and well-accomplish'd Friend , Mr. Iohn Sandford , of Magdalen-Colledge in Oxford . GOe , forlorne Vertue , into Eden goe ; and , with Leaues , hide thine outward nakednes : Though t is their shame , not thine , that made thee so ; there make Worke for the Presse , far from the Presse . Tell Times to come , how much these Times neglect Thee , in Lines as far from death , as free from dread : And , make their Ofsprings blush that doe reiect Thee ; yea , liue in shame when their Shames Cause is dead . With open Hand to All , thy Largesse throw ; though All are too straite-handed , vnto Thee : Make them , them selues , and thee , aright , to know ; that in thy shining Lines they , both , may see : But , if they will be blinde , and both still wrong , Eden still keepe , and sing a Sion Song . Yee haue made a mocke of the counsell of the Poore . Psal. 14.10 . THe Wisedome of the Poore , is still mispriz'd , sith by their Wealth , Mens Wits are valued : Speake he like Salomon , hee 's ill aduis'd , say some , that vnderstood not what he said . But if he be an Isis-bearing Asse , and speake what he himselfe , nor none conceiues , His Praise shall , as his Folly doth , surpasse ; and speakes , as he no place for answere leaues . Yet had some Kings , some Beggers in a place , where he might not be seene , to vse their Wit , ( If it were Soueraigne , though his state were base ) this Sou'raigne would , of him , perhaps , beg It : Which when He vents , the Peoples voyce is than , This is the voyce of God , and not of Man ! Against Fortune-tellers , commonly called , Wise-men . SIth all our Knowledge from our Senses comes , which oft mistake , then must our Wisedome needs Mistake , as oft as Error ouer-comes our Knowledge , that from ●rring Sense proceedes . Then all our Wisedome must be most vnsure , as are the grounds from whence the same doth grow ; Yet some great Wi●● m●n har●ly can endure that GOD should know that , which they do not know . And , sith they know , they know not as they ought ; more then they ought they seeme to know , at least ; These are the● Wi●e-men that by Fooles are sought , to s●ew ●u●nts to come to giue them rest : On whom they do● bestow a Wise-mans ●ee , Which th●se wise Seers , onely , doe fore-see . Sinfull Curiositie had rather be acquainted with the Diuell , then with God , or his Saints . HAue any made a Cou'nant with blacke Hell , and are Familiar with infernall Sprights ? They shall be sought to , wheresoe'er they dwell ; for , many Soules desire to see those sights . But liues Elias ( most familiar with GOD and Heau'n ) where great ones most frequent , He liues as in his firie C●ach he were ; for , none comes neere so meere an Innocent . Thus doth the Diuell Lord it o'er the Aire , and those that most doe prize It ; while his slaues Are more sought to then Saints or Angels faire , though such Fiends bideing be among the graues : Then , what so senselesse , as the World , to take Delight in Diu'ls , and in Hell , for their sake ? Againe , of the same . WEre Bacon , and that Vandermast aliue , ( Aire ) ( if liue they did where Men might draw but They , with a mischie●e , wold much more than thriue ; for , they would smothred be with Mens repaire . Some Bladuds would inuest them with their Robes , nay , Crowne them too , to learne them but to flye : That so they might but glide about the Globes , to be admir'd for Iack-dawes qualitie . So much Men , singularitie affect , that to be singular , ( though but in Toyes ) They 'l fre●ly giue what they doe most respect ; so much their inward Man , loues outward Ioyes : Nay , Men to Hell will creep from out the Croude , Ere they 'l be drowned in the Multitude . That Persecutors of Truth , are their owne Tormentors . IF Vertues Sonnes be plagu'd with Vices Broode , ( sith they , by Nature , still doe disagree ) It 's for the vicious plague , and vertuous good ; which both shall here , or else-where , shortly see . If our good life , our Enemies encrease , that bad encrease , in that great good , is drown'd ; Who fight against themselues , but for our Peace ; and , through our Weeds , their Hearts and Soules do wound ! Our Sauiour , through his Death , did Death subdue , to make vs conquer by enduring strife : Then , what though They , to Death , doe vs pursue , when , through our Death , they dye to giue vs li●e ? But with such proofes , none but such Saints are prou'd That of his Iudge , in death , was fear'd and lou'd . The righteous , in Ioy or Griefe , Life , or Death , GOD keepes as his Treasure . FEll Malice most of her owne Poison drinkes ; for them she plagues , doe sippe but of the toppe ; But she of that , which to the Bottome sinckes , to worke in Her Perdition , without Hope . Impietie and Plagues are of an age ; being burnt , not in the Hand , but in the Heart : For , who against the good doe battaile wage , shall perish through his pow'r that takes their part . And , if , for vertue , Men are made away , GOD takes for sacrifice , their sufferings : But when , by course of Nature , they decay , he then receiues them as Peace-offerings : So that in life and death , the righteous rest , As th' Apple of his Eye , as safe , as blest . That mens Deuotions towards God and Goodnesse , are most mutable . NOught in our Life endures so many Turnes , as our Deuotion ; off , on , in , and out ; Now , cold as Yce , and by and by It burnes , scarse in one moode , while we can turne about . If good we heare , perhaps we thinke thereon ; but be it ill , ill ( past perhaps ) we minde : Thus , rowle we euer , like a thriftlesse stone , till Death vs stay by force , or Course of kinde . From Sinne to Sinne , as Flies from sore to sore , we still doe shift ; the best Men , Men are still ; The worst are worse than Beasts , to kill , or store ; for , they are leaue in good , but fat in ill : Then blest are they , that neyther fat nor leaue , Haue rowl'd to Rest , but with the Golden-meane . To my most honored and approued best Friend , and Alye , Sr. Fran : Louell , Kn●ght . God takes the Will for the Deede . ALthough we doe not all the good we loue , but still , in loue , desire to doe ●he same ; Nor leaue the Sinnes we hate ; but ●●●ing , moue our Soule and Bodyes Pow'rs their forc● to tame ; The good wee doe , GOD takes as done aright ; that we desire to doe , He takes as done : The Sinne we shunne , He will with Grace requi●e ; and not impute the Sinne we seeke to shunne ! But good Desires produce no worser Deedes ; for , GOD doth both together ( lightly ) giue : Because He knowes a righteous Man must needes by Faith that workes by Loue , for euer liue : then , to doe nought , but onely in desire , Is Loue that burnes , but burnes like painted fire . The Vertuous , liue well for Vertues sake ; the Vicious , for feare of Punishment . THree things , in Iudgement , haue obserued bin , to wo●k with wicked ones , shame , griefe , & feare : And yet without shame , griefe , or feare , they sinne , till Iudgement ( strict ) beginneth to appeare . If Iudgement then , haue force t'extort these three ; they haue no Iudgement , that will not preuent This sore Extortion , with an easie fee ; that is , liue well ; if not , then , well repent . But are these two performed with such ease ? Gods Y●ake is easie , and his burden light : And such as cannot well away with these , can neyther liue well , nor repent aright : But if they cannot , much lesse can they beare , What Iudgement wil extort , shame , griefe , & feare . That there is no peace to the Wicked . THe Wickeds rest is like the raging Deepe , whose smoothest Peace is rough intestine War : With whose Alar'ms they often start in sleepe ; whose Heart-strings , with such fretting Stops , doe iarre Yet as the Sea seemes calme , as other Brookes , till Windes arise , wherewith they rage as mad ; So , oft the Wicked-man as smoothly lookes in prosperous state , as he whom GOD doth glad . And in this plight , he Saint it can aswell ( at least in shew ) as can the holiest Saint : Yea , can ( for glory ) in Good-workes excell ; and , Pietie in Word and Deed depaint : But when Afflictions flawes beginne to blow , He playes the Diuell both in Deed and Show . That a vexed Conscience is the onely Hell on Earth . THe Bodies rest doth most disease the Soule , that is diseased with Sinnes sorest Sting : For then the Thoughts about that Pricke doe roule , and to the Soule an Hell of Horror bring ! The Minde then looking into Fancies Mirrour , sees nothing there but Sinne that sits a-Broode On grimme Chimaeraes , and sights full of horror , so to confound the Minde , or mad her mood . For , when Sinne onely fronts the Phantasie ; that Glasse reflects these horrid Formes , by kinde , Then , when the body most alone doth lye , these Monsters muster most about the Minde . O! Plague of plagues , when Sense nor Reas'n can spye A Reall Obiect from a Phantasie ! Phantasie a great Comforter , or Tormenter . GIue me Iobs Botches , Naamans Leprosie , nay , giue me All that plagues the outward sense , Rather then Terrors of the Phantasie , crawling from out an Hell of Conscience . And giue me all the Hels the Damn'd endure , ( this Hell alone excepted ) I will be Able to make them Heau'ns , in Conscience pure , through Operations of the Phantasie . Asleepe , awake , in Company , alone , past-vnderstanding Peace , and Ioyes past Ioy , In our Mindes Kingdome , then , themselues enthrone , to ouer-sway the Paines that Flesh annoy : Then , is this Peace and War , true Heau'n & Hell , Where Paine and Pleasure doe themselues excell . A wounded Conscience , who can beare ? SAlues , Sores doe cure ; and Medicines , Maladies : Friendship , Oppression ; W●sed me , poore Estate : Fauour , Restraint ; and Tim● , Captiuiti●s ; Good life , Reproch ; and louing Manners , Hate : But , these , nor ought else that are ●●st , or best , ( except the Highest grace ) h●u● p●w'r to cure A wounded spirit ( with Sadnesse st●●l opprest ) but It doth Death out-liue , and Hell o●● dure . Were our Meate , Manna , our We●des , Salomons ; Monarches - our Friends ; and Eden , our Free-hold ; Our Guardes , G●●ia●s ; our Seates● highst Thrones ; our Houses Siluer , hung with Pearle and Gold : All these , and all what else can Sense delight Doe rather kill , than cure a wounded Spirit . Death makes Things appeare as they are . ENuy and Anger haue some Wise-me● kil'd ; ( though in those Passions we hold no man wise ) As fauour and base flatt'ry Fooles haue spild ; for , with them both , we Fooles doe Nestorize . But when these moodes are , with the Parties , dead , then , were they Fooles , who wer so wise while-ere : And , Th●y most wise that Fooles were reckoned ; thus , Death doth make Things , as they are , appeare . Flatt'ry adornes Mens Fortunes , not the Men ; and Enuy , not their Persons , but their Fames Doth seeke to wound : so , it appeareth then , that Wise nor Fooles haue here their proper Names : But in the Font of Death they doe receiue Their naked Names which their true Natures giue . God and Conscience tels truely what we are ; and are not as we seeme . WHat thou art , aske thine Hart , and it wil show ; or , aske a Foe , that Conscience makes to lie ; But aske thou no● Selfe-loue which cannot know : no● , aske a Friend , which can no ●ault espie . If we could see our selues , then should we see that we are nothing lesse then what we seeme ; Yet , some seeme farre worse than in Deed they be ; and therefore All , this Some doe not esteeme . For , we know nothing wholy , but in part , and , vnderstand but , what we know , by Sense : We see the Face , but cannot see the Heart : then showes betray our best Intelligence : This makes all wise men , that such Secrets know , To winne the World ; a Shadow , with a Show . That Truth , being One and still the same , is made by wicked m●n to countenance Falshood , which is manifold , and still vnlike . WHen Peace & Truth do iarre , Peace is not peace : then , Peace , in Truth , is that we should ensue : Now , for this Truth , what Warres and Iarres encrease , these Times doe ●eele , and After-times may rue . Yet , no Man 's so vniust , that will auerre , he fights for Falshood ; but , for Truth and Right : So , iust , some say , is eu'ry vniust Warre : thus , Truth is made to countenance each Fight . Who euer yet for Heresie hath dide , but saith , for Truth he dies , and so beleeues ? Or , what Sect saith not , Truth is on their side ? so , Truth is made a Diuell , that deceiues : But Truth is God , vnmade , who , in the end , Will damne them all , that make him such a Fiend , That we are naturally bent to Ill , but supernaturally to Goodnesse . TWixt Sinne and Grace , I tost am to , and fro , as mine Affections please to bandy me : From Grace , to Sinne I flye ; but , backe , I goe ; and yet I goe as one that faine would flee . Nature doth moue the Wings of my Desire to Sinne-wards nimbly ; but , not so to Grace : For , then she limes them with my fleshes myre , that I am forc'd to passe an heauy pace . Yet still I stirre those Wings , and seeke to breake faile fleshes Bands ; too strong , for me ( too fraile ) Who though , sometimes , I faile of what I seeke , yet seeke I what I finde , and neuer faile : For , none seekes Grace that hath not Grace in hold : Then , Seekers find , though oft lesse then they would . Abuse is familiar with humane Flesh and Bloud . MInding this World , I muse at what I minde , though It vnworthy be of Minde or Muse : I muse that Men are to It so inclinde , sith It mindes nought , but how Men to abuse . From high to low Abuse doth proudly raigne ; from which the Preist , that leads all , is not free : The Holy hold the Holy in disdaine , if with their state , their states doe not agree . Vertue , or Vice are held or good or ill , as , in this World , they thriue or ill , or well : For , Vice is honor'd more then Vertue still , if Vices Mannors , Vertues doe excell : If Manors good , doe what good Maners ought , ( That 's make men great ) great men are made of nought . That it is farre better not Be , then to be Ill. THe World ( the Wombe where all misdeeds are bred ) breedes in my little - World such great offence , That my Soule , great with Sinne 's deliuered of Griefe , that gaules my bleeding Conscience : The Mid-wife Flesh , that did the same produce , giues it the Nurse , curst Nature , it to feede : And fattens It with full-Breasts of Abuse ; so , Griefe growes great , with Natures grosse misdeeds . O Nature , Nurse of my Soules foule Disgrace ! ô World , the Nurse of that Nurse ( grounds of grief ) Why doe you giue me being , time , and place sith you doe worse then kill me with reliefe ? For , that reli●se that doth but nourish Sinne , Makes our Case worse , then if we ne'er had bin . Sinne and Grace cannot dwell in one place . IF Faith beleeu'd that Creede that Essence giues her , then would she giue the Soule what that doth giue : Faith 's made to know , and doe that which relieues her ; for , by her actiue knowledge she doth liue ! But oft the Soule ( though Faith be still her Ghest ) makes Sinne her Steward to prouide her Foode : How then can Faith such banefull Bits digest , which but contaminate her vitall Bloud ? Can Faith and Sinne ( if they be full in force ) dwell ( as if friends they were ) in one weake Heart ? No : one will other from the same diuorce ; for , Sou'raignes part with life , ere Lordship part : Then , want of Faith , with grosse Sin is supplide ; For , Nature vacuum could ne'er abide . In rainy-gloomy Weather . THis Weather 's like my troubled Minde and Eyes : the one , being sad ; the other , full of Teares ; And , as Winde oft the often Showrings dryes : so , Sighes my Teares dry vp , and kindle Cares . Sighes please , and paine the displeas'd painfull Heart ; they please in giuing vent to Griefes vp-pent ; And yet the Heart , they ease , they cause to smart : so , Griefes encrease as Sighes doe giue them vent . But were my Minde thus sad but for my Crimes , and mine Eyes turn'd to Teares for cause so deare ; Or , did my Heart for that sith often - times , my Sighes , my Teares , my Sadnesse blessed were : But t is , sith Hope , my Ship , through Fates crosse-waue , Now grates vpon the Grauell of my Graue . Our Wits are vnable to please our Wils . THis Life is but a Laborynth of Ils , whose many Turnings so amaze our Mindes : that out of Them our Wit no issue findes , But what our Sense commands , our Wit fulfils . Yet Sense ( being tired with deceitfull Ioyes that fleete as soone as felt ) prouokes the Wit to cast about those Turnes to pleasure it , Which findes new Pleasures lin'd with old Annoyes . So , that when Sense and Wit are at a Stand in quest of Pleasures vaine variëty , they are so cloid with their saciëtie , That Will is wearyed with her owne Command ▪ Thus , in this Life , or Laborynth of Ils , We toile our Wits in vaine , to please our Wils . To my most deare , and no lesse worthily-beloued Friend and Pupill , Henry Mainwarring Esquier , with the truely-noble and venterous Knight Sr. Henry Thynne , accompanying , into Persia , the meritoriously-farre-renowmed Knight , Sr. Robert Sherley , Englishman ; yet , Lord Ambassadour sent from the great Persian Potentate , to all Christian Princes , for the good of Christendome . HEroicke Pupill , and most honor'd Friend , to thee , as to my Moitie , I bequeath Halfe th' other halfe ; beginning , at mine end , to make ( I hope ) me triumph ouer Death . My Sonne ( sole Sonne ; and , all I euer had ) vnto thy Care and Seruice I commend ; So , make me Sonnelesse , till you make me glad with your Returne from this Worlds further end . The Absence of so deare a Sonne as thou , must needes affect thine honor'd Sire with Griefe ; But , for thy good , he doth his Griefe subdue : so , doe I mine , by his , sith his is chiefe : Then , with my Sonne , take thou my Hart and these Celestiall Charmes , in Stormes , to calme the Seas . Rob not the Poore , because he is poore ; neyther wrong him in Iudgement . Pro. 22.22 . THough Words with Wisedome richly be attirde , yet , if their Speaker be not rich withall , They will be rather scorned , then admir'd ; or thought , through Enuyes spight most criminall . But Words pronounced by Authoritie , ( though no Authoritie doth them approue ) Are held for Oracles of Deitie ; and , quoted , as rich Scriptures , Truth to proue ! Thus Wisedome rare , without a Fortune rich , is a rich Gift that gets but poore regard : For , Wisedomes lowest voyce , or highest Pitch , if her Pipe be but meane , can ne'er be heard : For , the Worlds Eares , though wide , no voyce can heare That comes not from a Pipe , as deare as cleare . To my worthy ▪ witty , long-approued , and beloued Friend , Mris . Ioyce Ieffreies . Let vs heare the end : Feare God , and keepe his Commandements : for this is the whole duty of man. Eccles. 12.13 . MAny a weary Winter haue I past since first our eyes strange - lookes did interchange : But now ( deare Friend , that is ; as kinde , as fast ) Time , in Lifes Reere , or vitall - Powres doth range . My Layes of Loue , are now turn'd all to Psalmes and Hymnes addrest to Heau'n ; which my yong dayes Did most offend : Then , now , I craue this Almes , that thou , for me , on These , our God wilt praise . When Time , and Thwarts haue taught the humbled - sp'rit that all , saue loue and feare of God , is vaine ; By Grace and Nature we take most delight in paines , which may preuent eternall paine : Then , if thy Will doe match thy Wit ( deare Friend ) On these Feete maist thou trauell to that END . The CONCLVSION . LO here an end of these our Muses Flights , which aymed at Mans End , or chiefest GOOD ; But if too wilde shee were , in heau'nly Heights , let her be made to know it , by the W●ood . If her Disire too high hath made her rise , ( though lesse than GOD contents not that Desire ) Of Christ , and of his Church she mercy cryes ; and , humbly , stoupes to what they doe require . Yea , prostrate , she doth fall ; nay , vailes her Necke vnder his Spouse ( the Church ) her sacred Feete ; Submitting all her Soarings to her Checke ; and ready to reforme what shee thinkes meete : If she hath rightly fled , GOD made that Flight : If not , she prayes the Church to make it right . But , knew I ought offensiue to her Eare , My Teares should blot It , yer It mended were . FINIS . LONDON : Printed by T. S. for George Norton , and are to be solde at his Shoppe , vnder the Blacke-bell within Temple-barre . 1612. Notes, typically marginal, from the original text Notes for div A19907-e134090 * Dutton .